Gov. Warner, NCI director help launch VCU Massey Cancer Center research addition

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. – At the site of the former Randolph Minor Annex at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Gov. Mark R. Warner, the director of the National Cancer Institute, VCU Health System President and Chair Dr. Eugene P. Trani, volunteers and cancer survivors today officially launched the construction of the new, state-of-the-art research addition to the VCU Massey Cancer Center.  The construction of the new facility is one of more than 120 projects at public college and university campuses across the state to be funded by the General Obligation Bond for Higher Education approved by voters this past November.

"We're building not only a magnificent cancer research facility, but new opportunities for all Virginians," Gov. Warner said.  "As construction begins on campuses across the state, the General Obligation Bond funding helps to ensure a 21st century education of our future workforce, the enhancement of Virginia's economy and especially in this case, the development of treatments for Virginia's cancer patients.

"The VCU Massey Cancer Center is a great example of the kind of capital projects that last year's bond package will make possible," Gov. Warner said.  "Their groundbreaking work that will be done in the new facility will hold the key to improved cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment."

VCU will receive $10.1 million from the bond bill for the construction of the $28.5 million facility that will include laboratories for cancer research, offices for staff and a healing garden for cancer center patients and staff.  The remainder of the funding will come from private donations, federal grants and other sources.

VCU's Massey Cancer Center is one of only two National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers in Virginia and one of only 61 in the United States.  The new research addition will allow the cancer center to expand the type of research it conducts and help position the VCU Massey Cancer Center to become Virginia's first Comprehensive Care Center, the highest designation awarded by the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, director of the National Cancer Institute, said that the Massey Cancer Center is providing leadership that will change the face of cancer here and across the country.  "We are making progress against cancer.  We will make even greater progress because of what you are doing here," said von Eschenbach.

More than 130 scientists from throughout VCU are focused on new cures and treatments for cancer.  "As their discoveries are translated from the laboratory to the patient bedside, even more Virginians will have access to cutting-edge cancer care at VCU Massey Cancer Center," said VCU President Dr. Eugene P. Trani. 

The director of the Massey Cancer Center, Dr. Gordon D. Ginder, thanked the General Assembly, VCU and the citizens of Virginia for making a wise investment in the Massey Cancer Center.  "If we are to win this war on cancer, we have to marshal every available resource for our research programs," he said.  "The faster we can take new discoveries from the laboratory to our patients, the more lives we can save.  It's that simple."

The 60,000 square-foot addition more than doubles the size of the existing VCU Massey Cancer Center, which was completed in 1981.  Construction of the research addition is expected to be complete in March 2005.