URBANA – Carle Cancer Center and Mills Breast Cancer Institute are moving to new facilities on the Carle medical campus on University Avenue in Urbana. The community is invited to an open house on Sunday, May 18, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic broke ground on Mills Breast Cancer Institute and Carle Cancer Center in 2006. The Mills Breast Cancer Institute was made possible by a $10 million donation from Linda and Doug Mills to the Carle Development Foundation in 2005. The two adjacent buildings – connected by an atrium - house a comprehensive oncology program and bring together Carle Clinic physicians from several medical specialties to provide care in one location.

The total cost of Mills Breast Cancer Institute is approximately $39.8 million and cost of the Carle Cancer Center is approximately $10.6 million, bringing the total community investment to $50.4 million. Together the two buildings provide 106,537 square feet of patient care and research space.

The third floor of Mills Breast Cancer Institute, set to open later this year, dedicates nearly 28,000 square feet to translational research, a key component of Linda Mill’s vision for this unique facility.

“At a national level, coordinated translational research has become the preferred strategy for ensuring that science and technology directly translate into patient care benefits,” said Stephen Boppart, MD, PhD, director of Mills Breast Cancer Institute. “Clinicians, researchers, educators and entrepreneurs will come together at the Institute to share new ideas and develop collaborative partnerships addressing new breast cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.”

James Egner, MD, head of Carle Cancer Center, said the new facility serves as a platform to take a well-established and reputable cancer program to the next level.

"Twenty-five years ago, we were one of the first in the nation to be designated a Community Clinical Oncology Program," Dr. Egner said. "And since then, we have continued to find ways - whether through new technology, new treatment options or a new facility - to further our commitment to being a valuable and trusted resource for those faced with cancer."

With the opening of the new facilities, patients have access to TomoTherapy, a new radiation therapy technology. Other new technology includes a Varian Linear Accelerator, digital mammography and CT scanner.

The facilities have been designed for comfort, privacy and holistic healing, with input from patients about the design and décor. It features a patient resource center and support group meeting space, private infusion suites, open-air balconies, designated family waiting areas, coffee bar and wireless internet access. Many of the amenities, such as a boutique, meditation room, live musical performances and healing garden, are made possible through nearly $12 million in donations made to the Carle Development Foundation.

Carle Cancer Center and Mills Breast Cancer Institute are services of Carle Clinic Association and Carle Foundation Hospital. The new facilities are expected to open to patient care in mid-June, pending inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health.