Though Hampton has received some state and federal funding, including $4.2 million from the National Institutes of Health, it is primarily using its own funds and financing from JPMorgan Chase to pay for the project.
The project began in 2007 and is currently two months ahead of schedule, according to Harvey. He says the institute will begin treating patients next year and will be fully operational in 2011.
There is already a waiting list for treatment. The American Cancer Society is waiting to provide on-the-ground support for the institute and its patients.
“We stand ready to support this in anyway we can,” Faircloth says. “Our goal is to make sure services are readily available to every cancer patient that walks through that door.”
Harvey says the institute’s life-saving measures will include more than treatment, but proactive and preventive care for people at risk.
“It’s a breakthrough in the fight against cancer … we will spend a lot of time educating people,” Harvey adds.
To learn more about the Hampton University Institute for Proton Therapy, call (877)251-6838, e-mail info@hamptonproton.org or visit www.hamptonproton.com.
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