The Associated Press
Published January 25, 2006, 11:03 AM CST
The University of Chicago has received $42 million from the founder of the Lands' End clothing company to create a specialty-care pediatric center.
The gift from Gary Comer and his wife, Frances, is the largest single donation in the university's 116-year history. The new center will adjoin the children's hospital named after Comer that opened on the city's South Side campus last February.
Construction is to start in March on the 122,500-square-foot center, which will include a new pediatric emergency room and programs for medical specialties including transplants, advanced surgery and heart and cancer treatment.
It will be called the Comer Center for Children and Specialty Care.
The Comers have donated more than $84 million for children's services at the school, University of Chicago officials said.
