Sovereign Bank, N.A., a division of Santander Holdings USA, has committed more than $1 million over the next five years to support cancer research and care at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

"This is an exciting day for Sovereign Bank and Santander," Jorge Moran, Santander US country head and Sovereign Bank president and CEO, said in a statement. "With our agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital, we proudly support crucial research activities of some of the brightest minds in the country as they work on one of the most significant health care challenges of our time. We’re pleased to provide support to Mass General in a way that will bridge the search for a cure at these three world-class institutions while at the same time providing both comfort and care to patients in need."

Sovereign Bank will contribute to the MGH Cancer Center through a variety of initiatives, including the MGH Cancer Center Fellowship, which provides opportunities for fellows to conduct research in laboratories at MGH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University.

The gift establishes the Sovereign/Santander Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program Fund for the MGH Cancer Center, which will supports the expenses associated with fellows conducting research in the laboratories at MGH, MIT and Harvard during the research component of their programs.