Cancer Center strives for NCI designation

The University of Kansas Cancer Center dedicated its pavilion to philanthropist Annette Bloch and her late husband, Richard Bloch, on Tuesday, June 9.

Annette donated $20 million to the cancer center earlier this year and continues to spur the center on to achieve National Cancer Institute status, commonly referred to as NCI designation.

“I just cannot tell you how excited I am for today,” Annette said during the dedication ceremony.

Last July, doctors diagnosed Annette with breast cancer. She had surgery in August and radiation in September. Annette described her gift to the Cancer Center as one of gratitude.

“Whatever I would do for this would never be enough to express how I feel,” she said.

The University of Kansas plans to apply for NCI designation in September 2011.

“We’ve made great progress with the Kansas Bioscience Authority,” said Roy Jensen, MD, University of Kansas Cancer Center director.

Kansas created the bioscience authority through the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to expand bioscience research in Kansas, including oncology research.

“We’re really focusing on recruitment at this point,” Jensen said.

To achieve NCI designation, cancer centers have to engage in multidisciplinary cancer research and have a certain percentage of patients participate in clinical trials. Designation allows cancer centers to conduct the most cutting-edge clinical trials available.

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson spoke at the pavilion dedication in support of the cancer center’s journey to NCI designation.

“The truth is there is not a person in this country who does not have a cancer story,” Parkinson said.

Parkinson emphasized the importance of having an NCI cancer center accessible to Kansans.

“That’s what this effort is about,” Parkinson said.

Kansas does not have an NCI designated center. Missouri has one in St. Louis.

KU Cancer Center Nurse Director Cathey Glennon, RN, MHS, OCN, BC-NE, said members of all disciplines are behind the NCI goal.

“It would mean a great deal to have our cancer center reach that designation,” Glennon said. “It’s an increased level of practice for all of us.”

As nursing director, Glennon informs nurses about the progress toward NCI designation.

“Once the nurses are educated they’ll be able to advocate for the patients,” she said. “We have to heighten the patients’ awareness.”

In order to obtain NCI designation, the cancer center has to increase the number of patients who participate in clinical trials.

Jensen said the goal requires cooperation from all disciplines as well as community members.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Jensen said. “We’re going to make this happen, but we need all of your help.”

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Write comment