Miami Cancer Institute 2020 Philanthropy Impact Report
Innovative Clinical Care and Impact Miami Cancer Institute is the only cancer center in the U.S. to offer patients the most comprehensive array of advanced radiological treatment options, including proton therapy – a sophisticated form of radiation that destroys cancer cells with great precision while avoiding damage to healthy tissue. In 2017, Miami Cancer Institute was the first center in South Florida to offer proton therapy. Within two years, by November 2019, the Institute had completed treatments for over 500 patients – nearly 100 of which were pediatric cancer cases. Joined by their families and physicians, over 300 patients past and present were invited to celebrate this major milestone with a special luncheon held at Miami Cancer Institute, made possible through the generosity of our donors.
Olga Alarcon 500th Proton Therapy Patient and Breast Cancer Survivor
“Now that I completed my treatment I feel new. I feel like I can give a second chance not only to my children and my husband but also to myself.” – Olga Alarcon
Miami Cancer Institute’s Proton Therapy Center continues to improve its capabilities. Over the past year, the center began using a new dose-calculation algorithm known as the Monte Carlo method. This new algorithm allows us to expand proton therapy treatment to other disease sites and sets us up to treat tumors in locations where movement inside the body impacts tumor position. An example of this includes the lungs, where tumor location changes as the lungs expand and contract. In addition to proton therapy, Miami Cancer Institute offers radiation therapy technologies including TrueBeam STx, Tomotherapy, Cyberknife, MR-Linac and Gamma Knife, making it one of the only facilities in the world to offer every form of leading-edge radiation technologies under one roof. IMPACT REPORT 6
