Saint Joseph’s Hospital has received a commitment of $5 million from William B. Erb for the creation of the Florence Hays Erb Cancer Center on the hospital’s Sandy Springs campus.

This is the largest philanthropic gift in Saint Joseph’s history.

“It has been the tradition of Saint Joseph’s to name rooms and a single building in honor of Sisters of Mercy who have faithfully served the Atlanta community for more than 127 years. This will be the first time Saint Joseph’s will name a facility in honor of a donor. We can’t think of a more deserving way to recognize Bill Erb for his generosity to our lung cancer program,” said Sister Jane Gerety, RSM, senior vice president, sponsorship.

The generous gift is being made in memory of Florence Hays Erb, who recently passed away due to lung cancer. Florrie Erb was an entrepreneur and co-founder of ERB Industries with her husband, Bill, a graduate of The Georgia Institute of Technology and M.I.T.

“Florrie’s lung cancer brought her to Saint Joseph’s and helped her appreciate the hospital’s vision of becoming the leading lung cancer treatment program in the Southeast,” says her husband, Bill. “This gift, made in her honor by her family will provide expanded services at Saint Joseph’s for lung cancer patients and their families.”

Saint Joseph’s, recognized as Georgia’s only top 50 U.S. hospital, already has a comprehensive cancer program which includes some of the region’s most experienced physicians, surgeons and radiotherapists, as well as the most advanced treatment technologies. This gift will expand this distinction by adding lung cancer research projects in conjunction with Saint Joseph’s Research Institute; providing more community education and patient programs; increasing availability of screenings for indigent and low income patients; and attracting renowned oncology physicians to practice at Saint Joseph’s.

“The Erb family believes in giving back to the community, even in times of personal sorrow,” said Kirk Wilson, president and CEO, Saint Joseph’s Health System. “We are honored to be the recipient of their generosity and support for our mission to provide excellent and compassionate medical care.”