The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in the Community
Patients often tell us that they heard about proton therapy and the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute from a friend, co-worker or someone from church.
Our goal is to step out in the community and host information sessions to help introduce proton therapy to people who may not have heard about proton beam therapy—a precision cancer treatment option. You never know who may be facing a recent cancer diagnosis or supporting a loved one through the process.
Number of Events: 30+
Number of People Reached: 7,000+
We connect with cancer survivors through support groups where they often share their personal experiences and the insights they’ve gained—helping to educate others who may be navigating their own cancer journey. In 2024, we met with survivors at nine cancer support group meetings in Northeast Florida, across Florida and Southeast Georgia. Local groups like the Bosom Buddies support group at the Women’s Center of Jacksonville, the Duval Car Club Cancer Awareness and the St. Augustine High School Cancer support groups are doing amazing things. Reaching out farther, we were grateful for opportunities to meet survivors with The Beautiful Gate Cancer Support & Resource Center, the Sarasota Prostate Cancer Initiative and The Villages Prostate Group.
The Villages Prostate Cancer Support Group
There are so many community service groups giving back who always want to know more about what is going on in the community. We are grateful to many of the Rotary Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs who welcomed us. We joined many health fairs hosted by local companies, had a festive time at the annual Cecil Pines Adult Living Community’s St. Patrick’s Day health fair and had the honor of joining the Cars for Cancer Cure Car Show put on by the Duval Car Club this summer.
Cars for Cancer Cure car show
A highlight of our year was the opportunity to attend the Jacksonville Jaguars game on Oct. 27 during the NFL’s Crucial Catch. In October, the NFL promotes prevention and early detection of cancer, which can impact anyone at any age and increases access to lifesaving cancer screenings. We engaged with the thousands of attendees before the Jags hit the field!
Crucial Catch Jaguars game
Right here in Jacksonville, we also had the honor to join UF Health Jacksonville’s outreach team at the Riverside Arts Market during Family Health & Fitness Day celebration and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. It is amazing to see the community come together to support survivors and their families!
We are also grateful to partner with education programs, such as the Beachside High School Biomedical Sciences program, the Chamberlain College of Nursing and the Boys & Girls Club’s Tipping the Scales program, among others.
Educational session and tour for students
Thank you to everyone who welcomed us to share the promise of proton therapy in the hopes that one more person who needs it will find out about this effective option for cancer treatment! We look forward to seeing you in the community in 2025.