Open house gives glimpse of MPRI

The Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute sponsored an open house for the general public Saturday, providing the visitors the opportunity to tour the facility, ask questions and learn more about Jill's House, which will house patients while they undergo treatment.\nThe MPRI will treat patients with certain kinds of cancers using proton therapy. MPRI has been under construction since 1999, primarily consisting of the removal of nuclear physics research stations in one hallway of IU Cyclotron Facility to make room for the proton therapy facility. The facility should begin operation by July.\nThe facility purchases proton beams from the IUCF. Proton therapy, as an alternative to traditional radiation therapy, offers greater precision and significantly less damage to surrounding tissue. Proton therapy has the potential of 1 mm accuracy, as opposed to 7-10 mm with traditional radiation therapy, MPRI's medical director Dr. Allan F. Thornton said. Protons also possess a finite range of penetration, so they do not deposit energy beyond the intended target. According to MPRI's Web site, unlike X-ray beams, proton beams deposit most of their energy in the intended target and do not scatter laterally. \nEd Dickey, director of clinical operations at MPRI, noted that this makes proton therapy more effective than traditional radiation therapy because higher doses can be given without damaging the surrounding tissue. This is especially important in pediatric cases, where irradiation may cause growth defects or second malignancies. About 25 percent of patients at MPRI are expected to be children. Dickey said the cure rate for proton therapy is 65 percent but varies with different types of cancer. \nCurrently, the MPRI facility has one treatment room and will be able to treat about 20 patients daily. Dr. Thornton said there are plans to add two more gantry treatment rooms. Gantries -- giant Ferris wheel-like objects that rotate around the patient and target the proton beam to a precise point -- will make treatment faster and easier for patients, because they will allow the proton beam to be bent around the patient. With a fixed beam, doctors must manipulate the position of the patient. Once all three treatment rooms are completed, Thornton estimates the facility will have the capacity to treat up to 100 patients per day.\nOnce it begins treating patients in July, MPRI will become one of only three operational proton treatment facilities in the country. The other two are located in Loma Linda, Cal., and Boston. \nThe open house Saturday provided the public with the opportunity to view the facility before it is in full operation. Volunteer Janette Kinser estimated that 150 people came to see the facility. She said she saw a wide range of people, including those who knew someone undergoing cancer treatment and those who were exploring alternate treatment options for loved ones. \nRepresentatives from Jill's House also were present at the open house to answer questions and raise public awareness. Jill's House, named in honor of the late Jill Behrman, will provide residence for patients undergoing treatment at the proton therapy center and their caregivers. \nPeg Howard, president of Jill's House, noted that while insurance companies now pay for proton therapy, they do not cover the cost of transportation, lodging, laundry and food. She estimates the cost for a parent and child to stay in Bloomington for the duration of the treatment, which usually lasts six to eight weeks, would be $6,000 to $8,000. By offering free food and lodging, Jill's House will make proton therapy available to everyone, not only to those who can afford it, Howard said.\nMost importantly, Jill's House will provide a base of emotional support for patients and their families. Howard noted that patients who come from a long distance to receive treatment leave their support base behind. At Jill's House, patients and their families will be able to support each other. \n"They can become an instant family in a place like this," Howard said.\nThe facility also is meant to provide the comforts of home. Plans for Jill's House include 20 bedrooms, kitchens, laundry facilities, and even a garden, library and playroom. \nSo far about $500,000 has been raised for Jill's House. Construction of the project will cost about $2.5 million. An additional $2.5 million endowment is needed to cover operational costs. The board of directors has set March 2004 as the target time to begin construction. \nFund-raising events will continue throughout the summer, including a golf tournament sponsored by Kilroy's restaurant establishments June 4. Howard said she also has distributed proposals to a number of companies and private organizations. Private donations are tax deductible and can be pledged online at http://www.iub.edu/~jshouse/donate.html.