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"You have cancer."

Those words are frightening enough, but what often follows is a scary description of treatment options. It doesn't always have to be that way. Joint contributions from THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA TOUR have helped fund the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute.

"The Proton Beam technology is a community treasure," Florida State Representative Stan Jordan said. The District 17 House Representative was treated at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute from October to December 2006.

Following his diagnosis of prostate cancer, Jordan admits he waited for treatment until the Jacksonville cancer treatment facility opened in summer 2006. He says he doesn't recommend anyone wait for treatment, but Jordan was willing to take the chance after his doctor said the Proton Beam therapy was his best option. "It has minimal complications and side effects and the Proton Beam personnel were so proficient and professional." Jordan was so grateful he held a thank-you celebration for the staff after his treatment.

Patients having the best options available and being able to celebrate after their treatment is why the THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA TOUR made a $700,000 commitment to the development of the newest, least invasive and most promising tool in cancer treatment today.

"Because of the leadership and vision of the UF College of Medicine, the city of Jacksonville and philanthropists like the PGA TOUR who made UF Proton Therapy Institute possible, cancer patients have a new hope for cure and improved long-term quality of life through proton therapy," said Stuart Klein, executive director of the UF Proton Therapy Institute. "With the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute situated in Jacksonville, cancer patients throughout Florida and the Southeast U.S. have access to a life-saving treatment that only exists at four other medical centers in the country."

Proton therapy works by delivering a precise radiation treatment while destroying cancer cells and minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The process reduces side effects and lessens the risk of developing complications from treatment in later life. It is especially beneficial for treating cancer in children and adults with cancer in sensitive areas like the head, neck, lung, breast and prostate. Located on the campus of Shands Jacksonville, the 98,000-square-foot radiation medicine facility is the only proton therapy center in the southeast United States. It houses both conventional radiation and proton therapy. A team of faculty members at UF including radiation oncologists, physicists, engineers and computer scientists delivers state-of-the-art cancer treatment to patients. The facility also contains clinics for patient evaluations, treatment simulation and planning suites, an infusion and anesthesia suite, social and dietary services, research space and faculty offices. At capacity, the facility can treat up to150 patients daily.

Jordan is grateful to have been one of those patients. He believes having the Proton Beam therapy available to this community is a lifesaving gift for those who live here and for patients who will travel to be treated there. "We are fortunate to have THE PLAYERS Championship, all their volunteers and their caring spirit to help improve the quality of life of members of this community and for all who come for treatment," Jordan said.