Letter from the Volunteer Chairman:
Let me share with you my vision for Jacksonville as it
relates to RITA. I believe our city will become the Southeast's
center for cancer research and treatment. Here are some of the
many positives that we see from our position of being a major
donor. The Baptist Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic, Shands
Jacksonville, and Saint Vincent's are expanding their cancer
programs. This increased focus covers the many forms of cancer;
from solid tumor to leukemia / lymphoma. Add to this the new
Shands Gainesville Genetic and Cancer Research Building, the new
Cancer Hospital in Gainesville, the new University of Florida
College of Medicine Proton Beam facility on the Shands
Jacksonville campus, St. Vincent’s new Cancer Center, Mayo’s new
hospital and basic cancer research department. Mayo Clinic has
National Cancer Institute designation and Shands Cancer Center
is working to achieve their designation. NCI approval means
more research grants will be coming to our area.
How is RITA helping? Our contributions to these local programs
continue to grow. In addition, we are working with the major
institutions and medical equipment companies to Leverage our
special event proceeds. Last year we were able to donate a
state of the art mammography machine costing $400,000 to the
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. We are actively pursuing additional
opportunities to bring new technologies to our city.
Our newest special project is to print and distribute FREE to
all area cancer programs a 'NOTEBOOK for cancer patients'. Money
to pay the printing cost were raised through private fundraising
activities, Memorial gifts, and other special donations.
How can you help? We are one of the most fiscally responsible
non profit organizations in the country. Not only do we donate
100% of the net proceeds from our special fund raising events,
but we now are working to multiply that amount by 200% to 300%.
If you to make sure that every dollar of your charitable
contribution goes to solving a medical need; equipment,
research, or patient, we will make sure that your contribution
is not diluted by staff salaries or corporate overhead. If you
believe that new equipment and new technologies are important,
make a contribution to our Equipment Fund.
Research Is The Answer to help cure the many forms of cancer.
Research and treatment takes new technology… and both research
and technology are expensive. RITA is dedicated to help fund
our local research efforts and bring the new technology to our
area.
Charles R. Jantz, Volunteer Chairman
