In 1986, the Moffitt Cancer Center was established by the Florida Legislature to meet a clear and compelling need to respond to a virtual epidemic of cancer in the state. The Center was named for H. Lee Moffitt, a cancer survivor and the former Florida Speaker of the House who spearheaded the effort to build and fund a cancer center that would make substantial contributions to the prevention and cure of cancer.

In early 1981, the Legislature appropriated $600,000 in planning money for the proposed 240-bed hospital, and in Jun. the Legislature appropriated $3.5 million in start-up funds for the Cancer Center. The construction of the original $70-million, 380,000-square-foot hospital was funded by proceeds of the state’s cigarette tax.