Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine is one giant step closer to its goal of acquiring a state-of-the-art linear accelerator for cancer treatment in the Hospital for Animals after receiving a $500,000 Kresge Foundation Science Initiative grant.

The accelerator will be used in the hospital's oncology service and will position Cornell's Comparative Cancer Program as a national and international resource for cancer treatment and research. The program provides medical care for animals with cancer, conducts research about the cellular characteristics of cancer and educates veterinary and graduate students in the cell biology and genetics of the disease.

"The mission of the Comparative Cancer Program is to integrate critical components of cancer management -- such as prevention, early diagnosis, clinical care, education and outreach -- with existing university strengths in basic research," says its director, Rodney Page, D.V.M., professor of clinical sciences. "Our ultimate goal is to develop therapies to improve the lives of cancer patients, both animal and human."

The core equipment for the facility includes a state-of-the-art linear accelerator, a technology that will greatly enhance the capacity of the hospital's oncology service to treat cancers in companion animals. Radiation is essential for the treatment of tumors that are poor candidates for surgery due to either their size or their location in the body.

Newer linear accelerators have virtual-patient capability -- a computerized system that allows information from a computed tomography scan to be downloaded and viewed on screen as if the oncologist were looking at a cross section of the patient and tumor. This allows the radiation oncologist to refine the angle, intensity, depth and outline of the beam before touching the actual patient. Another device allows for sculpting the beam of electrons for extremely exact targeting of irregularly shaped areas of tumor infiltration. With the precision of these technologies, the radiation oncologist is able to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and greatly reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Conditions for the grant are that the college must raise $1.5 million of the $2 million for the purchhase of the accelerator and an endowment to maintain it. In order to qualify for the Kresge \grant, the college was required to raise an initial $500,000 by Aug. 1, 2001, which was accomplished. Half of the challenge grant will be awarded by the Kresge Foundation as soon as contracts are signed for the purchase of the accelerator. Before receiving the remaining $250,000, however, the college must raise the remaining $1 million in donations from alumni and friends, corporations and foundations by the end of March 2003. Several initial gifts already have been received toward the goal.

The Science Initiative of the Kresge Foundation awards grants to colleges and universities, teaching hospitals, medical schools and research institutions. Through the use of challenge grants, the program requires organizations to demonstrate the ability to raise funds for equipment and endowment. Since the program was launched in 1988, the Kresge Foundation has awarded 125 Science Initiative grants totaling $44.7 million. The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. It is not affiliated with any corporation or organization.