Cliffs Makes $250K Pledge For Cancer Care

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. today announced its charitable giving arm, the Cliffs Foundation, is supporting Marquette General Health System’s effort to bring the latest in cancer care to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through a $250,000 pledge to the Accelerating the Future campaign.

The capital campaign’s goal is to purchase a state-of-the-art linear accelerator for use in cancer care. The accelerator produces the radiation beam used to treat cancer.

“Cancer and cancer treatment affects nearly everyone either directly or through a loved one,” said Dale Hemmila, Cliffs’ director of public affairs. “The residents in the local communities where we operate are important stakeholders of the Company and as part of our sustainability commitments we continue to support organizations that make these communities a better place to live for everyone. Certainly, an enhanced medical care opportunity such as this helps to accomplish that goal.”

This pledge moves the Accelerating the Future capital campaign to approximately $3 million toward a $4 million goal.

“Cliffs is an important part of our community and we are very grateful for their partnership in the campaign,” said Pat Bray, president of the Marquette General Foundation. “This generous pledge will support a project that literally saves lives.”

The enhanced capabilities of a new Truebeam accelerator from Varian will be especially useful for treatment of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers. These are the cancers treated most commonly at Marquette General Hospital.

“Patients will find their care with the Truebeam is faster, more accurate, and more comfortable,” said Dr. Daniel Arnold, retired oncologist and Chair of the Marquette General Foundation. “The ability of this enhanced accelerator to further protect healthy tissue is truly remarkable. This is truly state-of-the-art technology.”

Marquette General is projecting installation of the new accelerator, related technology and renovations to the Radiation Oncology Department will be completed by the end of the calendar year. Additional information on the accelerator and the capital campaign are available at the Foundation’s website www.mgh/foundation.