The Shadow
ROANOKE, Va. (VR) – Four months after publicly announcing its $100 million Reaching Far, Caring Close campaign to fund a new cancer center, Carilion Clinic has exceeded its goal – raising more than $105 million.
Now, Carilion is expanding the project’s vision with an additional $50 million initiative to include proton therapy, the most advanced technology for treating certain cancer types. Former U.S. Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman and Eugenia L. Taubman, have given a $17.5 million leadership gift, adding to their earlier $25 million toward the center that will bear their name. The Taubman’s $17.5 million gift combined with another $2.5 million anonymous donation marks $20 million total that has been raised toward this next phase.
“The overwhelming support for the Carilion Taubman Cancer Center demonstrates our community’s shared commitment to ensuring the most advanced care is available right here,” said Steve Arner, Carilion Clinic president and CEO. “Our deepest thanks to Ambassador and Mrs. Taubman for their extraordinary leadership and generosity, which continue to inspire and set the pace for what our community can accomplish together.”
It is anticipated that the cancer center will open in 2028.
Carilion’s Roanoke facility would be the only location in Central and Western Virginia – and the third in the state, alongside centers in Fairfax and Hampton Roads – to offer proton therapy treatment. There are currently fewer than 50 proton therapy centers in the United States. The health system estimates the technology could benefit hundreds of patients each year across Virginia and surrounding states.
“Cancer is deeply personal for us, and bringing the best possible care to our home community is one of the most meaningful investments we can make,” said Ambassador Taubman. “Jenny and I are profoundly grateful to our friends, neighbors, and the entire community for helping make the Carilion Taubman Cancer Center a reality. Your generosity has brought this dream to life, and together we can take the next step by bringing this transformative technology to our region.”
Proton beam therapy is a form of advanced radiation therapy that targets tumors with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue – particularly important for patients with tumors near vital organs or sensitive areas. It is also an optimal treatment option for children, as it limits radiation exposure to healthy, growing tissue.
“For adults, proton therapy is often the preferred treatment for complicated head and neck malignancies, large skull base tumors, and breast and prostate cancer,” said Tony Seupaul, M.D., Carilion’s chief physician executive. “This innovative technology will add another state-of-the-art option for Carilion to treat cancer patients. Over time, we hope it will also provide opportunities for proton-beam-based clinical trials and strengthen our medical education program.”
The historic Reaching Far, Caring Close fundraising campaign, the largest in Carilion history, began in 2019 with a $1 million seed gift from Carilion Clinic CEO Emeritus Nancy Howell Agee and her husband, Steve. The health system quietly raised $96 million—including $7.7 million from Carilion employees – before inviting the community’s partnership to help close the final $4 million gap at Roanoke City’s Freedom Festival in July.
Health system leaders, donors, and cancer survivors broke ground a year ago on the seven-story Carilion Taubman Cancer Center on Carilion’s Riverside Campus, shared with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.
The new building and expanded program will dramatically improve access to cancer care for the region, enlarging space for services from 40,000 to 260,000 square feet, doubling patient capacity, and broadening the range of advanced treatments and clinical trials available. The center will include comprehensive services for adult and pediatric patients, multidisciplinary care teams, and wraparound support services tailored to patients and families.
Carilion operates as a not-for-profit organization and reinvests operating income into facility upgrades, new equipment and technology, and efforts to attract and retain the best talent. The generous support of donors enhances care and accelerates Carilion’s ability to meet the region’s health needs.
To learn more or make a gift, visit CarilionFoundation.org/
