Fox Chase Cancer Center Expansion Plan

Original Proposal

Letter from Fox Chase Cancer Center President Dr. Robert Young to Fairmount Park Commission

September 24, 2004

Robert N.C. Nix III
President
Fairmount Park Commission
4231 N. Concourse Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19131

Dear President Nix:

Please find enclosed with this cover letter information related to Fox Chase Cancer Center's proposed growth plan, one that builds upon our 100-year tradition of providing the finest cancer care in the world and prepares for the next century of cancer research and prevention.

Thanks to our world-renowned research facilities and the high level of cancer care that we have always provided, Fox Chase has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the premier cancer centers in the country and the top cancer center in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Last year, more than 6,000 new patients were treated at our Center and there were more than 63,000 patient visits for outpatient cancer care. In addition to serving patients from all over the nation, Fox Chase takes pride in providing the very best care to those who live and work in the community around Burholme Park. In the last five years, for example, we have treated more than 2,000 cancer patients who live within the community around our campus.

Fox Chase is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center and has established a tradition of excellence by maintaining laboratory, behavioral and clinical research on one campus. In addition, our faculty includes some of the top scientists and doctors in the world - a Nobel laureate, numerous internationally recognized researchers and many members of the National Academy of Sciences.

Fox Chase is also leading the nation in the battle to prevent cancer before it starts. In 2000, Fox Chase dedicated the Research Institute for Cancer Prevention, the nation's first comprehensive program designed to prevent cancer by identifying healthy people at high risk of the disease and developing strategies to reduce these risks through programs of prevention and early detection.

Today, Fox Chase's work in treating cancer patients and conducting cancer research is more critical than ever before. Cancer is primarily a disease of the aging, and as the population in our region grows older, demand for treatment continues to rise dramatically.

To meet this rising demand and maintain Fox Chase's preeminence as a research and treatment facility, we must grow and expand - and for the sake of our patients, our research and clinical staff and even our community, we hope to achieve this growth right at home, on our beautiful campus in Fox Chase. Our goal is to build a new cancer hospital, a new outpatient care facility and critically-needed research laboratories.

To achieve our vision, we propose a growth plan that would occur in four phases over the next 20 years. It involves acquisition of approximately 25 acres of land from Burholme Park, the majority of which is already being leased by the Fairmount Park Commission for business purposes - specifically, for use as a golf driving range. In return, Fox Chase is prepared to fund the Park's purchase of an equal amount of new parkland, so that there is no net loss of acreage to Fairmount Park.

Because we recognize that Burholme Park is an important community resource, we want to lead the effort to preserve and improve the 40 acres of parkland that will remain publicly owned. Fox Chase will work with the Park Commission and the community to maintain the ball fields, playground and picnic areas and provide needed improvements for them. We intend to grow in harmony with our Park surroundings and maintain the strong campus environment that has served our cause for so long.

As part of this process, Fox Chase is also committed to continuing our partnership with the greater Fox Chase community. We are proud members of the community in Northeast Philadelphia and intend to actively solicit the input and advice of our neighbors as we move to secure our future for the next century. In the coming weeks, the leaders, employees and patients of Fox Chase will be meeting with civic and elected leaders and members of the greater community to discuss these plans and solicit their input.

By keeping Fox Chase in its present location within city limits, we believe that this development plan can provide a tremendous positive economic impact for the entire region. Construction will represent an investment of nearly $1 billion by Fox Chase over the next 20 years, and employment, which currently totals over 2,200 jobs, will grow to more than 6,700 permanent jobs. These new jobs - primarily Philadelphia jobs - are expected to generate at least $40 million in state and local taxes.

At Fox Chase Cancer Center, we understand that in the battle against cancer, every day counts: for the thousands of patients we treat each year; for their families and friends; and for the millions of others whose lives will be impacted by cancer in the years to come.

We look forward to the opportunity to discuss our plans with you and your colleagues on the Fairmount Park Commission at your October 13 meeting. If you have any questions or would like additional information before then, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 215-728-2781.

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