By Jennifer Fuller
Springfield, IL – LEADERS OFFICIALLY CUT THE RIBBON ON THE SIMMONS-COOPER CANCER INSTITUTE AT SIU'S MEDICAL SCHOOL IN SPRINGFIELD TODAY.
THE $21.5 MILLION FACILITY WILL HOUSE STATE-OF-THE-ART DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT EQUIPMENT, AND PROVIDES A MORE COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENTS. IT ALSO HOLDS RESEARCH FACILITIES, SO THAT RESEARCH, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT CAN ALL HAPPEN UNDER ONE ROOF.
LEADERS SAY THE INSTITUTE WILL BE KNOWN WORLD-WIDE FOR ITS ABILITIES... AND THEY HOPE TO BECOME AMONG THE ELITE TREATMENT CENTERS AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE AS WELL.
INSTITUTE DIRECTOR DOCTOR TOM ROBBINS SAYS THE INSTITUTE ALLOWS FOR A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE FOR PATIENTS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, AND PROVIDES NEW COMFORTS AND CARE FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM A DEADLY DISEASE.
THE BUILDING ITSELF IS NEARLY COMPLETE, WITH EQUIPMENT SCHEDULED TO BE MOVED IN SOON. MEANWHILE ADMINISTRATORS SAY THEY REMAIN HOPEFUL THE STATE CAN COME THROUGH WITH PROMISED OPERATIONAL FUNDING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.