Three of Tampa’s most regarded organizations will join together to establish a location dedicated to cancer screening awareness and education.

The space has been generously provided by Port Tampa Bay to establish a new Moffitt Community Engagement Center located in the busy Water Street district across from The Florida Aquarium.

The Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program have donated $50,000 to support the center, which will focus on cancer prevention and early detection, as well as provide appointment services for cancer screenings. This center is expected to see thousands of visitors in the Tampa Bay area.

The gift, presented to Moffitt Cancer Center last night during Hockey Fights Cancer, was accepted by breast cancer survivor Allison Futch. The mother of four credits the early detection of her cancer to genetic testing and regular screenings — the very topics that will be addressed by the new center.

“We see a tremendous opportunity to reach a large number of people with education on early detection and prevention of cancer. This is a priority for us in order to decrease the number of cancer deaths,” said Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and CEO of Moffitt. “We are so grateful to Port Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay Lightning for making this effort a reality.”

“Port Tampa Bay is honored to join Moffitt Cancer Center, a world-class hospital, to establish the Community Engagement Center at one of our cruise terminals. We hope this resource will educate our community with lifesaving information. We are so grateful for the support of the Lightning Foundation to make our combined vision a reality,” said Paul Anderson, president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay.