A Legacy of Hope: $10M Gift to Transform Women's Cancer Care at NCH

NAPLES, FL – February 19, 2026 – A monumental $10 million gift from the Brynne and Robert Coletti Family to Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) is set to fundamentally reshape the landscape of women's cancer care in Southwest Florida. The donation, made in memory of Brynne Coletti, who passed away in December 2024 after a valiant fight with cancer, will establish a comprehensive, state-of-the-art oncology program dedicated to women, ensuring her legacy is one of hope and healing for generations to come.

In Honor of a Life Lived with Grace

The gift is a deeply personal tribute from Robert “Bob” Coletti and his family to his late wife of 43 years. Brynne Coletti, who was 67, was remembered by those who loved her not for her illness, but for her boundless energy and dedication to her family and community. Described as an “irreplaceable wife, mother, grandmother, and friend,” she was a vibrant leader involved in numerous charitable organizations.

When diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Brynne faced the prognosis with what her family described as “quiet tenacity, unending grace and good humor.” Her personal battle, fought with immense strength, has now become the inspiration for a gift that aims to provide other women with the same access to advanced care and unwavering support.

“Brynne’s strength and grace continue to inspire us,” Bob Coletti said in a statement. “Our hope is that this gift honors her memory by helping women receive the care, support and hope they need at every stage of their journey.”

A Transformational Impact on Medical Services

This $10 million contribution is more than a memorial; it is a strategic investment that will have a tangible and immediate impact on NCH's medical capabilities. A philanthropic gift of this magnitude allows a regional health system to make significant leaps in technology, talent, and facility development that would otherwise take years to achieve.

The funds are earmarked for several key areas within the NCH system. The donation will bolster the NCH McGlothlin Outpatient Infusion Center, enhance the women’s oncology surgical wing at NCH North Hospital, and support the NCH gynecological oncology clinic. In recognition of this foundational contribution, NCH will establish the Bob and Brynne Coletti Women’s Cancer Program.

“This extraordinary gift reflects a deep commitment to women facing cancer and to the future of oncology care in our community,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “Through this generosity, the Coletti family is helping ensure that members of our community receive compassionate, coordinated, world-class care in Southwest Florida.”

Strengthening a Strategic Alliance for Local Care

The Coletti family’s gift amplifies the momentum of NCH’s rapidly advancing oncology program, which is fortified by a critical clinical collaboration with Northwestern Medicine. Announced in October 2024, this partnership connects NCH with the nationally recognized Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, an NCI-designated institution. This alliance provides NCH physicians and their patients with access to leading oncology experts for second opinions, advanced clinical trials, and innovative treatment protocols.

This collaboration has already borne fruit. In October 2025, NCH launched NCH Southwest Florida Gynecologic Oncology, a specialty service led by Dr. Ed Grendys, a renowned gynecologic oncologist with a faculty appointment at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The creation of this clinic was a direct response to the need for more localized, subspecialty care for cancers of the female reproductive system. In Florida, female breast cancer accounts for over 13% of all new cancer diagnoses, and the need for accessible, expert care for gynecological cancers remains a high priority.

The Coletti gift will now supercharge this initiative, providing the resources to expand these services and ensure that women in Southwest Florida do not have to choose between receiving top-tier medical care and staying close to their homes and support systems.

The Power of Philanthropy in Community Health

The Coletti donation serves as a powerful case study in the growing trend of high-impact philanthropy shaping the future of American healthcare. As hospitals face increasing financial pressures, major private gifts have become essential drivers of innovation and expansion, particularly for non-profit, community-based systems like NCH.

This contribution is a significant milestone in NCH's broader effort to build a fully integrated cancer program, for which it has a $60 million fundraising goal. Such focused, cause-driven giving allows institutions to address specific community health needs with precision and speed. The establishment of the Bob and Brynne Coletti Women’s Cancer Program will not only enhance medical infrastructure but also serve as a beacon of hope for patients, signaling a profound community investment in their well-being.

By turning personal loss into a public legacy, the Coletti family has provided more than just funding. They have offered a powerful endorsement of NCH's vision and created a lasting tribute that will empower countless women in their fight against cancer for many years to come.