New Linear Accelerator Facility

News Release
For Immediate Release

Contact:  Mariah Carroll, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-7231

Linear Accelerator to Improve Animal Cancer Treatment
New Veterinary Medical Center facility to open in April 2007

MINNEAPOLIS/ST.PAUL (January 25, 2007) – The University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved funding for a linear accelerator at the Veterinary Medical Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine to replace the recently decommissioned cobalt radiation equipment used to treat cancer patients for almost twenty-five years. University oncologists will now be able to map tumors three-dimensionally and focus radiation on cancerous lesions, minimizing the impact to surrounding healthy tissue. The linear accelerator, identical to those used for human radiation treatment, represents the cutting-edge for cancer treatment in animals.

“The purchase of a linear accelerator is critical to maintain the high standard of practice required in academic medicine and drive a comparative cancer research program with the capacity to benefit both humans and animals. The linear accelerator will be the only facility of its kind for veterinary use in the Upper Midwest,” said Dr. David Lee, director of the Veterinary Medical Center.

The linear accelerator supports the College of Veterinary Medicine’s initiative to develop the Animal Cancer Center as a Center of Excellence. “The department is currently undergoing a nationwide search for a endowed chair for the Cancer Center and we expect the program to grow tremendously in both depth and breadth,” says Lee.

RSP Architects will design the new linear accelerator facility; the contractor has not yet been selected. The facility, expected to open in April 2007, will cost $1.8 million. A fundraising campaign is currently underway to help offset the costs of this facility. For more information or to donate, please contact Katharine Anderson, development officer at 612-626-2343 or ksander@umn.edu.

For more information about the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, visit www.cvm.umn.edu/vmc.    

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The College of Veterinary Medicine improves the health and well-being of animals and people by providing high-quality veterinary training, conducting leading-edge research and delivering innovative veterinary services. The Veterinary Medical Center has on of the largest case loads in the nation with more than 45,000 animals treated each year.