Cyclotron Set To Arrive In Oklahoma
220-Ton Cyclotron for ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma CityMarks Milestone on World-Record 27-Month Construction Timeline
| WHAT: |
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The first half of a 220-ton cyclotron, reaching the end of its more than 6,000-mile journey from Belgium, will arrive for installation at the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma Citythis week. A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator used in proton therapy treatment, an advanced alternative to traditional radiation therapy without many of the short- and long-term side effects. Its arrival puts the Oklahoma ProCure Treatment Center on course to be completed in a record 27 months, faster than any existing proton therapy center in the world. |
| WHY: |
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About 250,000 patients nationwide could benefit from proton therapy treatment. Unlike traditional radiation therapy, proton therapy can be precisely targeted to the tumor, allowing patients to receive higher, more effective doses, and greatly reducing damage to healthy tissue and organs near the tumor. Research shows proton therapy causes fewer side effects than traditional radiation therapy, diminishes the chances of secondary tumors and improves patients’ quality of life. There are currently three proton therapy centers under construction and only five centers operating in the United States, providing about 6,000 treatment slots per year. The 55,000-square-foot, four-treatment-room center broke ground last April and is set to begin treating cancer patients in the summer of 2009. |
| WHEN: |
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Friday, May 9*
*Weather and travel conditions permitting |
| WHO: |
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The center is a joint venture of Radiation Medicine Associates, a leading radiation oncology practice in Oklahoma City, INTEGRIS Health System and ProCure Treatment Centers, the leader in proton therapy development and training. Members of ProCure’s team have been involved in the development of six of the eight proton treatment centers currently in operation or under construction. Medical staff for the center will be trained at ProCure’s Training and Development Center, the first facility in the world dedicated to proton therapy training. |
| WHERE: |
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Oklahoma ProCure Treatment Center
5901 West Memorial
Oklahoma City, Okla. 73142 |
| FOR MEDIA: |
www.ProCureNews.com |
| MEDIA CONTACT: |
Lauren Hames
Public Communications Inc.
312/558-1770, ext. 118
lhames@pcipr.com |
ABOUT PROCURE TREATMENT CENTERS
Headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., ProCure Treatment Centers, Inc. was founded in 2005 by Dr. John Cameron, a particle therapy physics pioneer who was pivotal in the development of the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. ProCure provides management support and a model for the complete design, construction, operation and maintenance of world-class proton therapy centers. Through partnerships with leading radiation oncologists and hospitals, ProCure’s business model reduces the time, effort and cost involved in creating a facility, which allows physicians more time to focus on patient care. ProCure plans to increase the number of centers across the country to make proton therapy affordable and accessible to patients who would benefit from the treatment. For more information, visit www.ProCure.com.
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