It's been on the drawing board for most of the last decade, the 10 stories of bricks and mortar that will house the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium.
“LSU, Tulane, Xavier and Ochsner are the members of the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, which is a legislatively-created body. They received some funding from a portion of the tobacco tax and this is help funding cancer research," said Dr. Larry Hollier, the Chancellor or LSU Health Sciences Center.
Inside the building, scientists, who were formerly competitors, will come together and collaborate on all their discoveries in hopes of getting better and faster results for the cures for cancer.
Doctors, scientists and public servants gathered Friday afternoon to check on the progress of the 175,000 square feet under construction. They toured one of the floors where more than 300 MD's and Ph.D's will test theories and hypotheses down to cells that become cancer.
"I think the advantage of a recognized cancer center is that it is an attractive draw for cancer research scientists and we anticipate to continue our recruitment. We have already recruited a large number of cancer researchers. Our National Institutes of Health research grants are up dramatically compared to pre-Katrina," said Dr. Hollier.
And that means more federal and private foundation money coming into the area.
"As each new researcher comes to New Orleans, he or she is going to bring their own team. The building itself will serve as a magnet and everyone wants new lab space, new research space, and being in proximity to LSU and Tulane makes it extremely attractive," said Steve Moye, the President and CEO of the Louisiana Cancer Consortium.
The design includes a raised sculptural symbol of hope. The inside will include a large theater-style auditorium for scientific meetings and community events, some will be educational to people battling the many forms of cancer. Research findings will also be brought to the bedside of local patients as well. And in this area, there are many. Louisiana has the highest cancer rate in the country with one person dying in the state from a cancer-related cause every single hour.
Doctors hope to be in the building by end of 2011.
