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INDIANA CONGRESSMEN LAND $1 MILLION GRANT
TO FIGHT CANCER THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROCESS
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University learned today (Oct. 8) that Congress has voted to award $1 million toward the development of a new cancer treatment center at the IU Cyclotron Facility. It will be called the Midwest Proton Radiation Institute (MPRI).
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) announced the funding after Senate passage of the fiscal year 1999 Department of Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which provides for local economic development initiatives. Lugar was a key player in getting Senate approval of the funding. Reps. Lee Hamilton (D-Ind.) and John Hostettler, (R-Ind.) were instrumental in garnering House support.
Lugar, Hamilton and Hostettler made the project one of their top priorities in the appropriations process and marshaled the support of other members of Indiana's congressional delegation as well as members of Congress from other regions to be served by MPRI.
Proton therapy offers potential for eradicating cancer cells with fewer side effects without significantly damaging surrounding tissue, particularly in the treatment of small lesions or tumors close to critical organs.
A consortium of physicians and scientists from throughout the Midwest formed the MPRI, providing increased accessibility for patients from a number of population areas. Further, an IU-funded economic impact study projects direct and indirect benefits to the region valued at $40 million annually.
IU President Myles Brand said the funding is a good first step toward getting a second return on an initial investment made to develop one of only seven proton accelerators in North America.
"This news is a big step in our efforts to leverage funding for MPRI," Brand said. "IU is especially grateful to Sen. Richard Lugar, Rep. Lee Hamilton, Rep. John Hostettler, Sen. Dan Coats and the entire federal delegation from Indiana for their tireless support and assistance in securing these funds. The result of their hard work not only will benefit the citizens of Indiana, but will extend to the entire Midwest region."
"This is good news in our efforts to provide the citizens of Indiana with an outstanding proton therapy facility," said George Walker, IU vice president for research and dean of the University Graduate School. "The investment in this project will provide great dividends to both the university and the citizens of the state."
John Cameron, director of the IU Cyclotron Facility, added, "This is the first money that we have received from the federal government for proton therapy and, as such, is very important in that it will allow us to move the project from the design stage into the conversion of the existing facility."
The cyclotron has operated for more than 25 years as a member of the world network of major accelerator facilities for research in sub-atomic physics. It is used by more than 400 scientists from 14 countries. There are two proton therapy facilities in the nation, one in California and one in Massachusetts. This would be the first such facility in the Midwest.
(JT. Forbes, Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations, 812-855-3911, forbesjt@indiana.edu}