With public and private funding ensured, the Danish National Centre for Particle Radiotherapy will now becom a reality (photo: Michael Harder, Aarhus University Hospital).
A generous contribution of DKK 250 million from the A.P. Møller Foundation ensures that the plans for a Danish National Centre for Particle Radiotherapy will become a reality. Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University are grateful that the planning of the project can now be started.
More precise radiation, fewer side effects and improved survival. These are the promising perspectives of treatment with particle radiotherapy for cancer patients. A generous donation of DKK 250 million from the A.P. Møller Foundation has ensured that a big step has been taken to offer particle radiotherapy in Denmark.
- We are very grateful that the A.P. Møller Foundation has made it possible to realise the visionary plan of establishing a national centre offering world-class particle radiotherapy, says Claus Thomsen, Chief Medical Officer at Aarhus University Hospital.
- Denmark is one of the few countries in the world where a national strategy for the introduction of particle radiotherapy has been implemented successfully. Danish patients – up to 1,200 annually – can in the future expect to get the most modern type of radiation treatment; not only children benefit from particle radiotherapy but also many adults with cancer.
Recently, the Danish government allocated DKK 275 million to the
centre. The two financial contributions ensure that the centre will be established in Aarhus. Last year an international expert panel recommended that a national centre for particle radiotherapy should be placed at Aarhus University Hospital.
Strong research environment
The research environment in Aarhus within radiotherapy is the strongest in Scandinavia, and the close collaboration between research and clinical departments has played a decisive role for placing the centre in Aarhus:
- In Aarhus there is already a unique environment within advanced radiotherapy where treatment and research go hand in hand. We will build on this expertise and synergy, which will be further strengthened by the establishment of the national Centre for Particle Radiotherapy, says Allan Flyvbjerg, Dean at Health, Aarhus University.
The project group in charge of construction of the particle radiotherapy centre has already been appointed. The next step is an EU tender and the construction will start when the suppliers have been found.
Further information:
Claus Thomsen, Chief Medical Officer
Aarhus University Hospital
Tel.: +45 78 46 23 66/+45 29 13 58 49
Allan Flyvbjerg, Dean
Aarhus University, Health
Tel.: +45 8715 2034 /+45 5177 9548
dekan@sun.au.dk
Cai Grau, Professor, Consultant tel.: +45 7846 2553
Aarhus University Hospital
tel.: +45 7846 2553
Aarhus University Hospital
