Moving on up

Dan Hoffman Arizona Daily Wildcat Professor of radiation oncology Anne Cress, spreads her arms wide in her brand new laboratory facility on the fourth floor of the Arizona Cancer Center. Dr. Cress has performed her research in a cramped, cluttered lab in the Center's basement for the past 11 years.

Almost a quarter century later, the Cancer Center has not only increased in square footage, but also in the quality of its cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

At Saturday's dedication of the center's $22.5 million expansion, center Director Dr. Sydney Salmon said the 30 additional research laboratories and patient care facilities are a new weapon in the battle against cancer.

"Twenty-five years ago, the Arizona Cancer Center was little more than a dream," Salmon said to a crowd of about 800 people. "Growing from just 100 square feet in 1976 to 100,000 square feet now - we hope it will play a major role in cancer research nationally."

The dedication ceremony came two days after the Arizona Board of Regents allowed the University of Arizona to name the new addition the Sydney E. Salmon Building.

The expansion, which began in 1995, was funded by the National Cancer Institute and through private donations from philanthropic organizations including the Del E. Webb and Peter Kiewit foundations.

During the dedication speech, Salmon said the center also received a $500,000 grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb, a New York pharmaceutical research center.

Salmon said the 1998 Unrestricted Cancer Research Grant, to be dispersed over five years, will be used in cancer prevention and treatment drug development.

UA President Peter Likins, who introduced Salmon, said he is proud of how the Cancer Center has grown.

"The Arizona Cancer Center is one of the brightest gems in the University of Arizona crown," he said.

Salmon, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December, said the Cancer Center's goal is to one day eliminate cancer.

"As we approach the dawn of the 21st century, we approach an era wherein cancer will be overcome," he said.

Guest speaker Susan Leigh, a three-time cancer survivor and former Cancer Center research nurse, announced plans for a Sept. 26 march in Washington, D.C., to raise public awareness and increase federal funding for future cancer research.

She said it is important to remember people currently suffering from cancer. She asked Salmon to sign the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship's "Ribbon of Hope," a memorial ribbon she said will be joined with others from across the world.

The ribbons will be arranged in the form of a sun and will be a symbol of cancer survivorship, Leigh said.

"Buildings are necessary. Buildings are wonderful," she said. "But more important are the people inside."