New Year - New Proton Centers

It was announced this week that Oklahoma City Proton has begun to treat pediatric cancer patients! This is great and offers families in the midwest an attractive alternative. This center has some unique features with pediatric couches that are used. In speaking with a pediatric radiation oncologist this week there, I was informed the paraspinal pediatric patients have now been successfully treated in the prone position where the body is treated lying face down. It is opposed to the supine position which is face up. The good news is that the prone position provides better airways for the anethesia doctors during sedation with younger children.

Numbers are staring to get updated from the various proton centers around the world.
See:

http://ptcog.web.psi.ch/ptcentres.html

As of right now in the U.S. we have the following reported:

Loma Linda founded 1990 treated 13,500 as of 12/08
Florida PTI founded 2006 treated 1,847 as of 12/09
MRPI founded 2004 treated 632 as of 12/08
MGH Boston founded 2001 treated 3,515 as of 10/08
MDA Houston founded 2006 treated 1,700 as of 12/09

I keep hoping these centers will report pediatric cases treated. Right now it seems to be everyone's best kept secret.

There will be lots happening in the proton world this year, we have Hampton coming up by August 2010. Philadelphia is getting itself off the ground. ProCure has several irons in the fire with new proton centers. It looks like Chicago will be there next center opening at the first of next year. Stay tuned!

PPF to hit the Windy City - Chicago Here We Come

The Pediatric Proton Foundation and 5 volunteers from age 4 to 80 will be attending the annual meeting of ASTRO (American Society of Theraputic Radiation Oncologist) in Chicago starting this Saturday, October 31st through the following Wednesday, November 4th. We are excited to have a chance to interact with the professional radiation oncology community and other vendors and professionals that work with proton therapy.

Our 4-year old son, Jacob, will also be in attendance during exhibit hall hours. He sings, he dances and he is a TWO YEAR Cancer Survivor in part due to the proton therapy he received as part of his protocol to beat Ewing's Sarcoma. Since Jacob's tumor was found on his thoratic spine, it was critical that we found a treatment that wouldn't harm his other growing organs and bones. We can't wait for others to meet him and see how grateful we are for having our son here and enjoying his life to the fullest.

We will also have our first annual meeting of the PPF while in Chicago. It will be the first time our board members will meet face to face so we are excited for the event.

Check out our newly revised website. We have enhanced it to include bigger buttons and easier navigation. Our website is www.pediatricprotonfoundation.org.