On Nov. 16, 2017, Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian announced that Florence Irving and her late husband, Herbert Irving, have given $700 million to the two institutions to dramatically advance research and clinical programs for the treatment of cancer.

The $700 million bequest, which included $600 million in new funds in addition to previously announced pledges to the two organizations, brings the Irvings’ total donations to Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian to more than $900 million over the past three decades. Herbert Irving was a co-founder and former vice chairman of Sysco Corporation, the nation’s largest food distributor.