St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is currently building the world's only proton center dedicated solely to the treatment of children.

Terms that before would conjure up images from the future, the proton accelerator technology will soon be a reality on the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital campus. Part of a $198 million project to enhance the hospital’s clinical and laboratory facilities, the St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center is slated to open in 2015.

“This facility will enable us to complete important trials while providing the support that only St. Jude can provide to patients,” says Larry Kun, MD, chair of St. Jude Radiological Sciences.

Photo by Spencer
Photo by Spencer
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Why is proton therapy superior to standard X-ray treatment?

Proton therapy offers tremendous advantages compared to X-ray technology because it is more precise and may be used to deliver a potentially higher dose of radiation to the tumor with fewer side effects. By confining radiation exposure to the tumor itself, the pinpointed therapy reduces a person’s risk of experiencing toxic effects on major organs and of developing secondary cancers later in life.

This is one of the many advances going on because of your support of St. Jude. Please become a "Partner in Hope' with us this year during our Radiothon February 27th and 28th.

Photo by Spencer
Photo by Spencer
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(Note: This author was privileged to tour the new facility under construction and will share never-before-seen pictures and video of the facility at St. Jude!)

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