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National Cancer Institute Designation
After nearly a decade of ongoing preparation, The University of Kansas Cancer Center has earned prestigious designation as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) cancer center.
“We are extremely proud of what this designation means – and what it will mean to the people of Kansas and our region who deserve this level of care,” said Roy Jensen, MD, director of the cancer center. “The University of Kansas Cancer Center has now been recognized for having one of the best cancer centers in the country.”
The cancer center is now part of an elite club – just 67 cancer centers throughout the United States are NCI designated.
This process of applying for NCI designation has already had a significant impact on the cancer center’s research efforts. Examples include:
- 17 researchers recruited in past four years
- New and renovated space, including the 82,000 square foot KU Clinical Research Center and the 170,000 square foot Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute
- New areas of expertise and new departments, including cancer research experts in translational research, clinical trials, basic science, prevention and control, and establishing the KU Medical Center’s Cancer Biology Department
- Collaborations, including the Stowers Institute, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, NCI, and Midwest Cancer Alliance
- Widespread community support, including more than $100 million in funding from KU Endowment.
NCI designation will allow the cancer center to continue recruiting top researchers, apply for federal funding, and open more clinical trials only available to NCI designated centers. The cancer center will also be able to expand benefits to members of the Midwest Cancer Alliance, build new business opportunities and provide even better care to cancer patients.
“We look forward to working with our regional partners to enhance the quality and delivery of cancer care at every level,” said Dr. Jensen. “Thank you to all university and hospital staff, donors, legislators, and our community for the phenomenal outpouring of support toward this effort.”
Students in the Community
First-year medical students spent half a day during orientation performing community service projects at sites around Kansas City, Kan. Students worked at a community garden, painted walls of a community center, sorted goods donated to a mental health agency and set fence posts at a Boy Scouts camp.
"M-1 Day," at it's known, is in its 10th year. The service projects expose the students to the community in which they will begin their medical education and let everyone interact informally. Read more.
Volunteers Needed at the State Fair
KU is going to the State Fair in Hutchinson and needs volunteers. Working in the KU booth is fun! Each shift lasts only 4 hours and all volunteers get a KU polo shirt, a $10 meal ticket and an admission ticket to the fair. Shifts are available September 7th- 16th.
Faculty, staff and alumni volunteers help bring the KU booth to life. Volunteers should be proud Jayhawks who enjoy talking to people about KU and how “KU works for Kansas.” The booth is in the air-conditioned Meadowlark Building and is always a popular attraction for the 300,000+ people who attend the fair.
Sign up online or contact Charlie Persinger with questions at cpersinger@ku.edu or 785-864-7103.
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