Duke receives $50 million donation to develop proton therapy center

por Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | December 20, 2024
Rad Oncology Proton Therapy
Duke University Health System has received an anonymous $50 million donation to support the development of a proton beam therapy center, marking the largest philanthropic gift in the system’s history.

The facility, expected to open by 2029, will cost an estimated $120 million and aims to treat approximately 800 patients annually once fully operational. Proton beam therapy, a form of highly precise radiation, minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue, making it particularly beneficial for children and cancers in sensitive areas, such as the head and neck.

“This is a historic gift, both for Duke and for the state of North Carolina,” Vincent Price, president of Duke University, said. “The Duke Proton Center will have a profound impact on cancer care in our region.”

A recent study revealed significant disparities in access to proton therapy, highlighting how many patients in the U.S. lack convenient access to this treatment due to the limited number of proton therapy centers, which are costly to build and maintain. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, showed that only about one-third of the U.S. population lives within an hour’s drive of a proton therapy center, while over 16% would need to drive four hours or more.

In addition to expanding treatment options, the center will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and clinical trials, leveraging Duke’s existing expertise in medical physics and oncology.

“Research and clinical trials with proton therapy will drive innovations in cancer treatment and enhance Duke’s impact across clinical care, research, and education,” said Dr. Mary Klotman, executive vice president for health affairs at Duke University and dean of its school of medicine.

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