Executive Director’s Message – June 2024
As Brain Cancer and Brain Tumor Awareness Month draws to a close, we reflect on the stories of resilience and hope shared by two of our patients in this newsletter. As we step into June, National Cancer Survivors Month, we are reminded of the profound privilege it is to accompany thousands of individuals on their path to survivorship.
Teen Patient Continues Cheerleading Through Proton Therapy Treatments
Mya Thibodeau is a 15-year-old young woman passionate about cheerleading and exercise. It was a shock in December 2023, when Mya was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She feared her cheerleading days would have to end, but with proton therapy at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, Mya found hope and returned to cheerleading while undergoing part of her treatment for brain cancer.
Forever Grateful: A Donor Wall Upgrade With Room to Grow
A new tribute to the many people, foundations and organizations that have generously supported the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute over the years was recently unveiled.
Survivor Spotlight: David Bruyn
David Bruyn has been through a lot. Following two strokes and brain surgery, he faced another challenge when a hemorrhagic brain stem stroke impacted his ability to swallow, leading to the installation of a feeding tube.
NAPT Honors Congressman John Rutherford with Inaugural Champion Award
The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) awarded its inaugural Champion Award to U.S. Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) for his steadfast efforts to safeguard patient access to proton therapy.
Seamless Cancer Care
Seamless. That is how Ron Howorth and his wife, Ya, described their experience receiving proton therapy treatment at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. In 2023, Ron was diagnosed with prostate cancer and started looking into the many options available for cancer treatment.
Survivor Spotlight: Kama Anderson
Kama Anderson shares her journey battling a meningioma so that others know what to look for if they have similar symptoms, and because while not labeled as a cancer, a meningioma is just as dangerous. It also requires surgery, radiation and other cancer treatment methods.
UF Health Supports You and Olympic Athletes With Groundbreaking Care
If you’ve had treatment at UF Health, you share something in common with Olympic athletes. UF Health is the only U.S. Olympic & Paralympic National Medical Center located in the Southeastern U.S. providing care for Team USA.