Citizens-Union Savings Bank has pledged $500,000 in support of the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care in Fall River and the new flagship outpatient facility in Fairhaven, which is currently under construction and set to open in early 2011.

The pledge is the largest ever made by a financial institution to Southcoast Hospitals Group. 

"We are extremely thankful to Citizens-Union Savings Bank for their most generous support of Southcoast's comprehensive oncology program," said John B. Day, President & CEO of Southcoast Health System, in a press release. "Creating a state-of-the art cancer program that serves that entire South Coast region is not just a Southcoast initiative, it is an endeavor of the entire community that will saves lives for years to come."

Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group, echoed this sentiment: "This type of commitment by local leaders in our community such as Citizens-Union Savings Bank helps assure we can continue to provide our patients with the local, advanced cancer care they need and ensure that care will be there should you or a loved one ever need it."

The pledge came after Citizens-Union announced that it would increase corporate giving as a result of its planned merger with Bank of Fall River.

Citizens-Union Savings Bank has served southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island for more than 150 years and operates 10 branches in Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Seekonk, New Bedford and Tiverton, R.I.

Nicholas M. Christ, President & CEO of Citizens-Union Savings Bank, said the decision to support Southcoast's efforts to bring world-class cancer care to the region began with the bank's ongoing commitment to being a proud member of the community and was further solidified by the clear dedication of Southcoast's leadership team.

"It is our strong belief that offering fully integrated, compassionate cancer care close to home should be a priority for the community - that is why Citizens-Union has given this gift," Christ said. "It is a simple goal really: Save the lives of our loved ones, our family members and our friends right here in our community by making the very best cancer treatment available, right now. This pledge for $500,000 to the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care supports this commitment and will help to provide desperately needed advanced cancer services to our region."