The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has announced a $100 million gift from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation in support of developing new facilities to meet the growing demand for the medical center’s proton beam cancer therapy services.

The gift will enable the clinic’s Rochester campus to expand proton beam therapy capacity from approximately 1,200 patients treated each year to more than 2,000. Slated to be complete in 2026, the building is designed to allow for future expansion. In recognition of the gift, the new facility will be named after the foundation, established in 1959 by Fred Andersen, a former head of Andersen Windows, and his wife, Katherine.

Proton beam therapy delivers precise radiotherapy to cancerous tumors while minimizing radiation of surrounding healthy tissue. This highly targeted therapy is ideal for people with tumors close to, or in, vital organs and for young people whose organs are still developing. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is the only center offering proton beam therapy in Minnesota and surrounding states.

“This gift amplifies the quiet, yet significant philanthropy the Andersens and the foundation have provided to Mayo Clinic over many years,” said Andersen Foundation president Peter Clements, “and exemplifies the Andersens’ ‘All Together’ spirit by matching the foundation’s resources with Mayo’s innovative medical care to improve the lives of individuals and communities.” 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia/Chad-Johnson)