Duke Health receives its largest-ever donation to fund future proton therapy center
Duke University Health System announced its largest philanthropic gift in history on Wednesday, a $50 million anonymous donation to grow Duke’s future proton beam therapy center.
“This is a historic gift, both for Duke and for the state of North Carolina,” Duke University President Vincent Price said in a statement. “The Duke Proton Center will have a profound impact on cancer care in our region, and we are very grateful for the generous donor support that is making these advances possible.”
Proton therapy is a radiation treatment that targets tumors while exposing nearby healthy tissue to less radiation. Duke plans to open its center in 2029. Once at capacity, the $120 million facility is expected to deliver proton therapy to around 800 patients annually.
Duke physicians say providing more precise radiation therapy is especially important when treating children and those with tumors in sensitive areas like the head.
“We want to reduce treatment side effects as much as possible to improve our patients’ quality of life and function,” said Chris Willett, chair of the system’s radiation oncology department.
There are currently 45 proton therapy centers in the United States, according to the National Association for Proton Therapy. The only North Carolina site is the Atrium Health Levine Cancer Center in Charlotte.
