establishment of the melanoma centerThe money will be used to expand the melanoma program to new clinical sites around the Valley, including in the northwest Valley and central Phoenix, Banner said. It will also be used to hire more nurses and researchers, to expand community outreach on melanoma, to support professional health care education and to help patients pay for genomic profiling.
The American Cancer Society said more than 2,900 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in Arizona this year, highlighting the fact that Arizona’s sunny climate makes the state an appropriate place to be fighting the disease. “As cases of the disease continue to rise, it is imperative that patients can access experts in this field to properly diagnose and treat the disease, as well as clinical trials that give patients additional treatment options,” Gimbel said in a statement. “We are grateful to Tom and Jan for this investment that will allow us to expand the melanoma program, reach more Arizonans with skin cancer prevention education and care, and advance our research efforts.
“I’m a grateful patient who had the life-changing experience of having melanoma, so I understand the fears and concerns of people who have the disease,” Tom Lewis said in a statement. “We made our first gift to create a place in Arizona where people could go and feel confident they’re in a competent hospital. I have the greatest respect for both MD Anderson and Banner MD Anderson, and am so proud to be a supporter of theirs in this endeavor.