Huntsman Cancer Institute to expand in Utah County
Jun 21, 2023, 10:11 AM | Updated: 2:20 pm
VINEYARD, Utah — Huntsman Cancer Institute announced plans Wednesday to build its second comprehensive cancer center in Vineyard.
Mary Beckerle, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute, said the facility is committed to providing a “cancer-free frontier” and this second facility is a step in that process.
“No more driving,” she announced, noting that cancer patients in Utah County have collectively made over 35,000 trips each year to the Salt Lake facility at the University of Utah.
Why Vineyard?
Tremendous population growth in our state and Utah County.
Partnerships are key to our success. The partners we have found in Vineyard and the surrounding cities are exactly what we need.
— Huntsman Cancer Institute (@huntsmancancer) June 21, 2023
“It feels like the help is coming here to us. Right where we need it,” said Jeannette Bennett.
For years, Bennett has traveled to get help as a Utah County resident entrepreneur, community leader, mom, and thyroid cancer survivor.
“That time of going up and down I-15 in traffic, in weather: It’s difficult. And that’s time spent away from family that you care so much about, especially during a diagnosis,” Bennett said.
Shortening the drive can save lives.
The Huntsman Cancer Institute said the 5-year survival rate for rural Utahns with cancer is 5.2% lower than those who live in cities.
The price tag to bring this to life is $300 million.
The University of Utah announced a match of $75 million dollars with the Huntsman Foundation, the largest single gift by the Huntsman family to the institute since it started.
Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to growing in places that provide inspiration and hope, she said, adding that the beautiful location in Vineyard rivals its location on the mountainside in Salt Lake City.
Vineyard Mayor Julie Fullmer said in five years, the city has grown to over 20,000 people, and the city is working to create something phenomenal for the region.
She said the new cancer treatment facility will help save lives, and bring people to the heart of their community.
“We believe that the possibilities are endless,” Fullmer said.