Vice President Joe Biden visits Houston for MD Anderson's 75th anniversary

HOUSTON – Vice President Joe Biden wrapped up his speech around 10 p.m. after praising MD Anderson for its dedication to fighting cancer.

The 75th anniversary gala took place Thursday.

The celebration will culminate in the dedication of the Beau Biden Chair for Brain Cancer Research.

The facility was named in memory of the vice president's son, Beau, who passed away after battling cancer.

President George H.W. Bush and many other leaders were in attendance.

Veteran CBS newsman Bob Schieffer emceed the ceremony.

Among those who spoke was sportscaster Craig Sager -- a cancer survivor.

Doctors at MD Anderson treated Sager.

Tonight, he thanked them.

Biden did the same -- reflecting on how much doctors at MD Anderson did for his son and his family.

"Thank you for being there for my family when our son was diagnosed with stage 4. He was treated here, and when I say treated, I mean that in every sense of the word. He was not only treated medically, he was treated with dignity and respect. And he was treated with a sense of hope and expectation," Biden said.

More than 2,000 guests were expected -- and nearly $14 million has been raised to support MD Anderson and research to help fight cancer.