GMA hosts moved to tears over David Geffen and Kenneth Griffin's $400M cancer center donation

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Record executive David Geffen and philanthropic businessman Kenneth C. Griffin donated $400 million to advance cancer patient care on the December 12 episode of 'Good Morning America', deeply moving everyone present on the set.

Griffin went on the show along with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center CEO Dr Selwyn Vickers, and was welcomed by the co-hosts, Robin Roberts and Lara Spencer. Roberts herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, reported Entertainment Weekly.

A group of healthcare workers and patients also went on the show and took to the stage as the gift was unveiled.

Lara Spencer asks Kenneth Griffin about his philanthropic efforts

"It's unbelievable the difference it will make in so many lives. I'm sorry," expressed Spencer, as she was visibly overcome with emotions and took a moment to collect herself.

"Why was this so important for you to donate in such a large number that will make such a huge difference?" she continued her question.

"All of us here dream of the day that we end cancer," began Griffin, before acknowledging the contribution of Geffen, who could not be present on the show, to the $400 million sum.

He went on to praise Dr Vickers, saying, "Your leadership of MSK and your team - just extraordinary. And I am certain that MSK will play an important role in ending cancer in our lifetime."

"But until that day, the team in MSK...give the patients who are enduring cancer hope, dignity, and compassion in their care. And we know that cancer is more than just a disease. It is a moment of incredible emotional challenge," he continued.

"And all the work that yo do do to help the patients at MSK beat cancer and find their lives again is god's work. thank you so much. David and I are so honored to be in a position to support the great work of MSK," he added.

Dr Selwyn Vickers shares how the donation would benefit the organization

Co-host Roberts addressed Griffin, saying, "I hope you feel the emotion from everybody that is here. There's nobody that hasn't been impacted, both personally with family and friends — it's impacted everybody."

She then asked Dr Vickers, "Just talk about $400 million - How is that going to help your team achieve what it is that you want to achieve?"

Mentioning the gift to be "transformative," Dr Vickers explained that the money would find its utility not only in helping his team take care of patients but also improving the lives of the organization's 20,000 staff members, from nurses to researchers.

Roberts ended the emotionally charged segment by asking for tissues from the GMA crew, joking, "How can we do a segment like this and they don't have any tissues for us? The one time!"