The Sidewalks of White Plains

 

Attention cancer sufferers:

Man who beat prostate cancer with protons to speak at hospital public information session Sunday.

Hospital moves to defuse proton accelerator fear campaign.

Public is invited to ask two proton accelerator experts to answer questions Sunday, May 6 at the hospital from 4 to 6 PM.

Phillip Livdahl, first to be treated exclusively with the Loma Linda proton accelerator for prostate cancer in the United States has been cured of prostate cancer for 10 years as a direct result of proton therapy.

Special to WPCNR

By John F. Bailey

 

CityLine: May 2, 2001 -- Briarcliff Manor, NY

New York Presbyterian Hospital is bringing in two experts in proton therapy to answer White Plains citizens' questions about the proton accelerator treatment center planned for the hospital property.

The public will be able to question and probe these experts at a public information session will be held Sunday, May 6 from 4 to 6 PM at the Staff Annex 2 building in the central hall. The building is reached by car through entry at the Bryant Avenue entrance to the hospital complex in White Plains, and signs will direct you to the Annex.

The two experts speaking include the first patient ever treated at the Loma Linda facility, Phillip Livdahl, whose prostate cancer was cured by exclusive treatment by the proton accelerator. Livdahl, former Deputy Director of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Chicago, helped design and implement the Loma Linda University Medical Center Proton Treatment Center, and was its first patient 10 years ago, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is now, at age 77, fully recovered, thanks to proton accelerator therapy. He will headline the "no holds barred" public information session on Sunday.

He will be joined by Dr. Phillip Stieg, professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief of the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Stieg is the newly appointed head of the Department of Neurosurgery, on the job just six months.

As a follow-up to the public information meeting Sunday, WPCNR has learned that the two authorities will also be presenting to the Common Council during the Council session Monday, May 7, when the scoping session on the hospital plan to build a proton accelerator facility beside Bryant Avenue is scheduled to be concluded.

Mr. Livdahl will elaborate on the growing role proton therapy is assuming in the treatment of cancer, as well as the advantages of the treatment, of which, he is living proof that the accelerator apparently "is very beneficial to your health."

Dr. Stieg has developed an international reputation in the area of cerebrovascular disorders and has extensive experience with proton therapy.

In the news release announcing the public information session, proton therapy is described as "a proven, effective and safe system that would greatly benefit the field of clinical care and research. It is the preferred form of treatment for nearly 50 Food and Drug Administration approved cancer protocols and is found to be highly effective for treating tumors in the eye and orbit, brain, lung and prostate."

The news release reports that "Proton therapy, with its unique physical properties, offers the ability to deliver even higher doses of radiation resulting in improved local control and survival."

 


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