Healthy fundraising effort by Mass General Hospital
BOSTON (AP) -- Massachusetts General Hospital has already raised $1 billion in a fundraising campaign launched five years ago with the goal of bringing in $1.5 billion.
The money will pay for the Harvard-affiliated hospital's $579 million, 10-story glass and steel tower already under construction; increase the number of beds by almost 20 percent; add 19 operating rooms; and replace an outdated and overcrowded emergency room.
The Boston Globe reports that contributors include Bill and Melinda Gates, Phillip and Susan Ragon, and Peter and Paula Lunder.
Hospital president Dr. Peter Slavin says the goal is to reach the $1.5 billion goal by 2013.
Lynn Nicholas, president of the Massachusetts Hospital Association, says the hospital has been able to raise money during a recession because of its "cachet."
