SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - Southwest Florida is mourning the loss of one of its great philanthropists. Frank Bireley lost his battle to cancer on Wednesday at Hope Hospice.

The causes Bireley supported ranged from the arts to healthcare, and his work to bring the community a one-stop cancer treatment facility - Lee Cancer Care Center - intensified after he was diagnosed with prostate and thyroid cancer in 2000.

Jim Nathan, President of Lee Memorial Health Systems says it's ironic he died of the disease he worked so hard to help others beat. Nathan says, "It's truly ironic, his fight and battle for cancer. He knew more about cancer than most clinicians will every learn just by his own research, his own tenacity." "You know some people volunteer, some people donate time, some people donate wisdom...Frank donated it all."

Nurse Sharon McDonald said, "What will we all do without Frank? He has supported and inspired our community for years. His brilliant smile was everywhere. He approached everything with such passion and commitment. He has educated those around him about his disease and made us realize how little we know at times. He has championed my cancer project from the beginning and I am deeply saddened that he will not see it open. I take comfort in knowing that his spirit and longing for others will echo the halls of the facility for years to come or I have no doubt he will email me from above to let me know that I need to do better."

Bireley and his wife Betty were instrumental is the success of the Music Foundation of Southwest Florida. Bireley served as President of the foundation for the last 10 years. Its mission is to provide instruments and music scholarships to needy students.

Among Bireley's other charitable affiliations: The Lee Cancer Care Advisory Board, Southwest Florida Community Foundation Board, Childrens' Hospital Advisory Board, Barbara's Friends Advisor, Emeritus member of the LMHS Foundation Board of Trustees, Past President Iona McGregor Kiwanis, The Childrens' Hospital Cancer Fund, Candlelighters, and the Gulfshore Playhouse.

A celebration of Frank Bireley¹s life will be held Monday August 25th from 5 to 7 p.m., with a program at 6 p.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. The theater is located at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: LMHS Foundation, P.O. Box 2218, Fort Myers, 33902-9984. Donations will be divided between Lee Cancer Care and Sharon MacDonald¹s Nursing Fund.