SunTrust Bank Gift Aids Cancer Treatment and Research
$25,000 Provides Resources for University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute
Jacksonville, Fla. (May 24, 2006) - As the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute nears completion for a July opening, SunTrust Bank presented $25,000 to the cancer treatment center's building and research fund.
UF Proton Therapy Institute, www.floridaproton.org, is one of only five proton therapy centers in the country, the only one in the Southeast. Proton therapy is a precise radiation treatment that destroys cancer cells and minimizes damage to healthy tissue. That means patients experience reduced cancer treatment side effects and are at less risk of developing complications from the treatment later in life. This is especially beneficial for treating cancer in children and in adult cancers located in sensitive areas like the head, neck, lung, breast and prostate.
"We are grateful for this generous contribution from SunTrust," said Stuart Klein, executive director, UF Proton Therapy Institute. "It has taken many public and private sector partners to make this project a reality, and we thank SunTrust for its leadership in providing corporate support."
SunTrust was the presenting sponsor of the 2nd Annual Golf Classic for Proton Therapy held last fall. Led by Larry Shertz, chairman, the tournament has raised more than $400,000 in private donations and matching state funds for Florida Proton. This year the Golf Classic for Proton Therapy, www.informationfairway.com keyword proton, will be Monday, October 16, 2006 at Heathrow Country Club, Lake Mary, Fla.
"SunTrust is pleased to be able to support this innovative cancer treatment," said John Schmitt, chairman, president and CEO, SunTrust Bank, North Florida. "We are honored to have this incredible facility in our community."
University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine (UF), a national leader in cancer treatment and research. A team of radiation oncologists, physicists, engineers and computer scientists, all faculty members at UF, delivers state-of-the-art cancer treatment and strives to set new standards for treating and curing the disease. The 98,000-square-foot facility houses both conventional radiation and proton therapy, and when it is at capacity will deliver proton therapy to up to 150 patients a day. For more information about Florida Proton, please visit www.floridaproton.org.
Media Contact: Theresa Makrush
904-359-0981, ext. 3199
904-505-6157 (mobile)
tmakrush@trsg.net
Based in Jacksonville, SunTrust Bank, North Florida has over 79 full service offices located throughout Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Marion, Alachua, Leon, Gadsden, Jackson, Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties. John R. Schmitt is chairman, president and chief executive officer for the region. SunTrust's Florida network has 473 offices from Pensacola to Miami.
SunTrust Bank executives toured University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute and presented a $25,000 donation for the cancer treatment center building and research fund. Pictured from left to right: John Sullivan, senior vice president, SunTrust Bank, North Florida; John R. Schmitt, chairman, president and CEO, SunTrust Bank, North Florida; Stuart Klein, executive director, UF Proton Therapy Institute; Nancy P. Mendenhall, M.D., medical director, UF Proton Therapy Institute; Larry Shertz, chairman, Golf Classic for Proton Therapy.
