The University of Chicago has received US$20 million that will be used towards the construction of the new cancer care and research center. Gifted by Susan and Randean Rustandy, the funds will boost the fight against cancer.
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The scope of the new University of Chicago cancer center
Construction has already begun on the seven-story 575,000 square-foot center. It will be Illinois’ only freestanding facility dedicated solely to cancer. It advances the University of Chicago’s and UChicago Medicine’s goals for cancer prevention. Furthermore, health equity, and survivorship, UChicago Medicine said. It also builds off UChicago Medicine’s leadership in cancer research, the medical group said. The university also noted that it has held the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation since 1974. It has been an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Care Center since 2008.
Who gifted these funds?
Tandean Rustandy is a trustee on the boards of both the U of C and UChicago Medicine. He noted the need for improved cancer research and treatment. He pointed out that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the country. Moreover, new cancer cases are expected to increase 49 percent between 2015 and 2050. “These statistics are a stark reminder of the importance of advancing research and treatment options. They will make a tangible difference in the lives of patients and their families.” Currently, there are only two NCI comprehensive cancer care centers in the state of Illinois.
Total cost of the project
At a cost of US$815 million, the center will be Illinois’ only freestanding facility dedicated solely to cancer. It is set to be completed in 2027. The UChicago Medicine noted that the gift will help clinicians, physician-scientist, and researchers find new treatments. This includes new cellular therapies to target more types of cancers, and radiotheranostics. These attack cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.
“The new cancer pavilion represents the future of oncology,” Dr. Mark Anderson, executive vice president for medical affairs and Dean of the Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago, said in the release.
