HEALTHCARE
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
ProCure : 10 Years of Helping Hope Bloom for Cancer Patients
By Brian Chon , M . D .
SOMERSET , NJ — ProCure Proton Therapy Center plans to plant or distribute 6,000 daffodil bulbs at our Somerset facility as well as throughout organizations in the community , with the help of our employees and residents representing one for every patient who has completed treatment at our Center within the past 10 years .
Daffodils are more than a beautiful flower . To many cancer patients , they inspire hope for a life without this feared and dreaded disease . To others , they represent a 10-year milestone or anniversary flower .
Daffodils are the perfect symbol for ProCure Proton Therapy Center as we celebrate 10 years of delivering compassionate cancer care in New Jersey and the tri-state region .
I can remember when the land where ProCure now stands was farmland . Now , my colleagues and I are proud to help hope bloom for thousands who seek a life free from cancer .
ProCure became the tri-state ’ s first proton therapy Center in March 2012 . We have cared for patients with a range of cancers , including diseases of the prostate , breast , lung , brain , head and neck , and gastrointestinal system , as well as sarcomas and many pediatric cases .
What makes ProCure different is the type of treatment we offer and the positive impact it can have while our patients are going through treatment .
Unlike conventional radiation therapy , proton therapy delivers particles to the body at lower energy levels and releases its energy upon impact with the tumor , so there is no “ exit ” dose .
This reduces the exposure of radiation to nearby healthy tissues by more than 60 percent , which can be especially important when a tumor is located near critical organs or structures such as the brain , heart or spinal cord .
As proton therapy delivers pinpoint radiation with less toxicity , higher doses can be safely directed to the tumor . This often leads to effective treatment with fewer side effects than traditional radiation therapy , and is cited by many of our patients as the reason they chose ProCure .
◾ • For Ed , our 6,000th patient who had prostate cancer , fewer side effects meant he could continue routine activities like weekly grocery shopping immediately after treatment .
◾ • For Olivia , a 17-year-old who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma , it meant she could continue to pursue her passion for dancing .
As we have grown , we have expanded our ancillary services to include more concierge resources for transportation and lodging needs — thus enabling patients from other states and around the world to receive care with less stress and more comfort . The center has also added a licensed social worker , a registered dietician and translation resources .
Additionally , ProCure has partnered with highly skilled physicians and local healthcare institutions over the years , such as Princeton Radiation Oncology ( now Astera Cancer Care ), Hackensack Meridian Health , CentraState Medical Center , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , Mount Sinai , Montefiore , NYU School of Medicine , Northwell Health and the Central New Jersey Division of Regional Cancer Care Associates .
Brian Chon , M . D .
We are immensely grateful for the opportunities they have provided us .
Delivering world-class care takes a tremendous team effort and continued innovation . So , while we ’ re proud of the work we have already done , the staff at ProCure remains motivated by how we have evolved to meet the future needs of patients .
Witnessing our patients fight cancer with such bravery has a way of inspiring optimism for the future .
One of the most inspiring parts of my patients ’ cancer journeys comes when they ring the bell in our main lobby . It signifies the completion of their treatment and another life positively impacted by our work .
We are proud of the roots we have already planted in the fight against cancer . We hope our work will help hope bloom for many years of come .
Dr . Brian Chon is Medical Director at ProCure Proton Therapy Center .
ProCure staff remains motivated by how we have evolved to meet the future needs of our patients .
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