Media mogul pledges $105 mln for US health research
18 Apr 2007 18:51:28 GMT Source: Reuters
(Adds past diagnosis of prostate cancer, paragraphs 4-5) LOS ANGELES, April 18 (Reuters) - Sumner Redstone, the media mogul who controls both Viacom Inc and CBS Corp, pledged $105 million on Wednesday to fund cancer and burn research at three major U.S. health care centers. Redstone, 83, whose net worth is estimated at $7.5 billion by Forbes magazine, will give $35 million each over five years to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Cedars-Sinai Prostate Cancer Center in Los Angeles and FasterCures/The Center for Accelerating Medical Solutions in Washington, D.C. "Advancements in research and medical science are creating a better world and a higher quality of life for all of us. Like many, I have personally benefited from these advancements," Redstone said in a statement. Redstone nearly died in a 1979 Boston hotel fire and suffered third-degree burns over a major portion of his body. He also was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the past but was treated and has fully recovered, said a Viacom spokesman. The spokesman said the new grants were not related to personal health issues. Redstone for years has given to AIDS-related and cancer charities and is a founding trustee of the American Cancer Society.
