PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 1, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione today delivered substantial support in the fight against cancer as she visited Fox Chase Cancer Center in Northeast Philadelphia to present officials there with a $500,000 Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to advance the expansion of FCCC’s Infusion Center.

The Infusion Center is where Fox Chase patients receive chemotherapy, non-chemotherapy infusions, hydration and blood product transfusions. As part of an $8.2 million expansion, Fox Chase will double the Infusion Center’s floor space to 21,500 square feet and increase its patient capacity from 36 infusion chairs to 60. The larger, less crowded footprint will improve the overall patient experience by delivering it in an aesthetically pleasing setting that promotes privacy, safety and efficiency.

“The war on cancer is one of the most daunting scientific, financial and public policy challenges of our time,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “Last year, more than 600,000 Americans died from cancer, which is the nation’s second-leading cause of death. In Pennsylvania, there were 28,000 deaths, the fifth-most among U.S. states. But there is great hope. The national mortality rate has declined by at least 25 percent since the early 1990s, which is why we must keep the momentum going. Or, as Vice President Joe Biden said one year ago when he launched The Cancer Moonshot, ‘Now is the time to double-down in our fight against cancer.’”

Fox Chase Cancer Center, part of the Temple University Health System, with its commitment to clinical excellence, research expertise and community health, was one of the first facilities in the country to earn a full comprehensive cancer center designation from the National Cancer Institute, which is the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. The center diagnoses and treats every kind of cancer (except pediatrics) and offers patients state-of-the-art and best practice treatments as well as clinical trials.

“Today marks an exciting development in our institution as we prepare to expand our infusion center, and we welcome State Senator Christine Tartaglione as a representative of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Richard I. Fisher, MD, president & CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center. “This support will allow us to continue to expand what we do for the benefit of our patients and our community.” 

In its existing configuration, the Infusion Center serves about 2,200 patients per month. Administration of chemotherapy is by far the largest service line and revenue generator for the Center, comprising more than half of total outpatient revenues. The current infusion space frequently reaches capacity during peak times.

The expansion plan will extend its footprint from 10,460 square feet to 21,500 while expanding capacity from 36 chairs to 60. It will improve patient experience while preserving and growing Fox Chase’s market share in the delivery of chemotherapy. As a leading employer and healthcare provider in the Greater Philadelphia region, Fox Chase Cancer Center generates significant revenue, opportunity and services for local citizens.

Fox Chase expects to implement the Infusion Center expansion in three phases with design plans to be approved in June 2018 and construction to begin in September 2018.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.

# # #

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.