Developed through the generous support of Herbert and Florence Irving, longtime supporters of Columbia University's health sciences, the new space doubles Columbia's laboratory space for cancer research. The building contains nine floors of research facilities, as well as classrooms and the Avon Foundation Breast Imaging Center for medically underserved women.

The new building was dedicated today at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception, hosted by Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger and Executive Vice President Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D., who is also dean of the faculty of medicine at Columbia's College of Physicians and Surgeons. Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and a cancer survivor, gave the keynote address.

"This combination of the greatest scientific minds and world class research facilities will insure Columbia University's future as one of the leading cancer research institutes in the country," said President Bollinger. "Columbia continues to make groundbreaking research advances today that will lead to tomorrow's advances and cures."

"Herbert and Florence Irving are great friends of Columbia University and a lasting part of our medical center's legacy," said Dean Fischbach. "Their ongoing support, especially of our cancer researchers, has been a tremendous help throughout the years as we continually strive for new developments that will fight cancer."

"Florence and I have made it our top commitment to do whatever we can to help people afflicted with these serious diseases, and to contribute to the research that will ultimately eradicate cancer entirely," said Mr. Irving. "This contribution demonstrates not only our commitment
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Contact: Elizabeth Streich
eas2125@columbia.edu
212-305-6535
Columbia University Medical Center
5-May-2005