Nevada Cancer Institute

Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI), founded in 2002, has been the official cancer institute for the state of Nevada since 2003. The NVCI is a non-profit organization, composed of a team of researchers and physicians who aim to advance knowledge about cancer while providing medical services throughout Nevada. The Institute serves residents statewide with its research and care center located in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas, with offices for outreach and education located in Sparks, Fallon and Elko.

Background

NVCI is a collaborative, statewide effort involving Nevada’s oncology community, academic leaders, legislators, corporations, health care advocates, cancer patients, their families and all other interested parties. The Institute offers current and advanced cancer treatment options, with patient and family support services, to residents of Nevada. NVCI is using research to discover new methods of prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, implemented through a wide range of services. These include traditional services such as clinical trials and assistance to help patients find the information and non-medical resources they need to support themselves during treatment. They also include less-common services such as a nutritionist, meditation room and spiritual/psychosocial counseling. In addition, the Institute houses a branch of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Under its official mandate, NVCI offers a large number of clinical trials that were not previously available without the support of a larger research center. This includes the first Phase I clinical trials conducted in Nevada.

The ultimate goal of NVCI is to become a National Cancer Institute Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Designated facilities must perform first-rate research and exceptional patient care. They must also demonstrate that the close integration of research and clinical efforts will stimulate new discoveries, then translate those discoveries into better care for patients. Programs in community outreach and education are also graded for Comprehensive status.

Facilities

The Institute’s research and care center occupies 142,000 square feet (13,200m²). The lobby has a blown-glass chandelier designed by Dale Chihuly. As of December 31, 2006, the NVCI had 230 employees.

History

• In 2002 The Howard Hughes Corporation donated 6 acres (24,000 m²) of land for the Institute's first building. The land was part of a 61-acre (250,000 m²) site in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas.

• In 2003, ground was broken for NVCI's first 142,000-square-foot (13,200 m²) research facility. The building was designed by Marnell Corrao Associates who are best known for designing many of the megaresorts on the Las Vegas Strip.

• NVCI has Outreach & Education offices located in Sparks, with satellite offices in Elko and Fallon.

• NVCI opened a new state-of-the-art main facility in August 2005, at a cost of $53 million. The grand opening was on September 23, 2005, accompanied by a Vegas-style fireworks display.

• From September 2005 to December 31, 2006, NVCI began 54 clinical trials, 20 of which were Phase I or Phase I/II trials. In June 2006, NVCI was the first site worldwide to dose a patient in a new clinical trial.^{[clarification needed]}

• In October 2005, the Institute acquired an additional site of 10 acres (40,000 m²) adjacent to its current site for future expansion.

• In January 2006, the city of Las Vegas announced plans to work with the Institute, the Bureau of Land Management and other entities to acquire about 20 acres (81,000 m²) of land in the city for future use.

• A Phase I clinical trial^[specify] was opened in January 2007. NVCI is one of only three places in the world offering it.^{[citation needed]}

• House Resolution 234, a bill to expand the Institute, was sponsored by Shelley Berkley and co-sponsored by Nevada's two other congressional representatives. It was introduced to the House on January 7, 2009.^[1]

References

1. ^ "H.R. 234: Nevada Cancer Institute Expansion Act". GovTrack. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-234. 

External links

• Nevada Cancer Institute