JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis joined First Lady Casey DeSantis and Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Kent Thielen to announce that Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is launching the first carbon ion therapy program in America and the only carbon ion therapy program in the Western Hemisphere.
“Our administration is committed to fighting cancer by making targeted investments in innovative therapies that have the potential to save lives,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “During my time as governor, we’ve increased funding for cancer research and treatment programs by more than 114 percent. The Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program has strengthened Florida’s position as a national leader in cancer research and innovation. We’re proud that Mayo Clinic chose Florida as the home for this groundbreaking initiative, and we look forward to seeing how these cutting-edge therapies give hope to patients fighting some of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers.”
In June 2025, Mayo Clinic opened the 228,000-square-foot Duan Family Building in Jacksonville to expand cancer treatment and research. The new facility will be uniquely designed to deliver both carbon ion therapy and proton therapy, including the ability to treat the same tumor with either approach for greater precision.
“Under the Governor’s leadership, Florida continues to lead in innovation, and today at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, we are proving that this leadership extends beyond our state, transforming not only how we care for Floridians, but also how the rest of America approaches cancer treatment,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “This state-of-the-art technology was made possible, in part, through funding from the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program.”
Mayo Clinic expects proton therapy to begin in 2027 and carbon ion therapy to begin in 2028. Patients will benefit from expanded care well before then through additional services already being offered at the facility, including photon therapy, immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, advanced imaging, and other specialized cancer services.
Carbon ion therapy is one of the most advanced radiation treatment technologies in the world, designed for hard-to-treat and treatment-resistant cancers. Until now, the therapy has only been available at a limited number of centers in Asia and Europe.
Florida continues to invest heavily in cancer research and treatment. Since 2019, Florida has invested more than $1 billion, increasing cancer program funding by more than 114% and committing nearly $218 million for cancer research in 2025 alone.
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