Cancer Research Institute launched at USA

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

The Mississippi Press

By: Lindsay O'Quin

MOBILE, Ala. -- A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday for the University of South Alabama Cancer Research Institute, a state-of-the-art, 100,000-square-foot treatment and research center located at the university's Knollwood Hospital campus.

Political and civic leaders spoke at the event, focusing on the center's economic impact and its role in finding a cure for cancer. After the speeches -- with gold shovels in hand -- officials broke ground for the center, scheduled to open in mid-2006.

"This is the single most ambitious research endeavor in the university's history, and we expect to achieve unprecedented success in our community's fight against cancer," said USA President Gordon Moulton, who presented an architect's rendering of the building.

USA's Cancer Research Institute will serve the 4.2 million people in the Gulf Coast region who presently do not have access to an academic cancer institute. The closest comprehensive cancer center is the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center. The next closest centers are located in Houston, Texas, and Tampa, Fla.

"This is a win-win-win situation for the Gulf Coast," said Alabama Gov. Bob Riley. "For the first time, people in such a large area won't have to go to Houston, Texas, or Birmingham, Ala., to receive care."

As academic cancer research institutes are on the cutting edge of new drugs and therapies, they are especially beneficial to cancer patients who do not respond to conventional treatment methods, said Dr. Robert Kreisberg, dean of the USA College of Medicine and vice president of medical affairs.

Led by director Dr. Michael Boyd, the USA Cancer Re-search Institute staff is made up of more than 50 researchers, physicians and support personnel. Once complete, the center will translate into 700 jobs and $1 billion in economic impact over the next decade, Moulton said.

"There is no question about the economic impact, but the impact on humanity is even greater," Moulton said.

The speakers stressed the center's importance to cancer patients and their families across the region, not only in Alabama but also in neighboring states Mississippi and Florida.

Nearly all of the speakers had been affected by cancer. The Riley’s lost their daughter Jenice Riley, 33, to cancer in 2001, six weeks after kicking off the campaign for governor.

A tearful first lady Patsy Riley joined her husband on stage as a picture of their daughter flashed on the screen. Moulton announced that an anonymous donor gave $25,000 to the USA Cancer Research Institute in Jenice Riley's honor.

Mobile Mayor Mike Dow emphasized the teamwork it took to make the cancer center happen, a project that has been in the works for four years.

"It is an honor to be a part of Team Alabama,'" Dow said, an analogy that was used in more than one speech. "I think those of us back in the mid-'80s who used to talk about private and public partnerships -- this is a true example of how great it can be."

State Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, added, "Isn't God good? He has seen fit to use all of us -- USA, the Board of Trustees, elected officials -- he has used us as vessels to make this happen."

Moulton said the USA Cancer Research Institute started out as a vision of a few people, but through the efforts of numerous individuals it has grown into a project that will benefit an entire geographic region.

"This is just the beginning, and it's a great beginning," Moulton said. "Hopefully 16 months from now, we'll be back to dedicate this center."