Facilities Remain Big Issue in KU Cancer Center Says Debra Lappin

On the KU Cancer Center's website, a clock ticks toward the deadline for when the cancer center has to submit its application to become a National Cancer Institute designated facility, the Lawrence Journal World reported in its story, "KU Cancer Center Working to Fill Positions, Increase Research Space Before Applying to Become National Cancer Institute Designated Facility."

As of January 24, 2011, there were 243 days left. But even after this year's September deadline, more work is in store for the cancer center, according to the story. In the past year, the Kansas Bioscience Authority has committed $10 million over the next five years to bring in world-class scientists to the KU Cancer Center. Two more leadership positions at the KU Cancer Center need to be filled before September.

Along with the two leadership positions, the KU Cancer Center is looking to fill a slate of 14 other top-tier scientists, according to the Lawrence Journal World story. But before more scholars are recruited, the cancer center needs to increase its research space, officials have said.

So far, the Kansas Bioscience Authority has contributed $26.5 million to renovate research space at the Wahl/Hixon Research Center on the medical center campus in Kansas City, Kansas. A sales tax that Johnson County voters approved a few years ago is going toward establishing another facility, the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Center in Fairway, the story reported. A building that would have pulled together researchers working on drug discovery is on hold because KU hasn't been able to find the private and philanthropic funding sources needed to build it.

Consultants working with KU on the National Cancer Institute designation also stressed the need for more research space, the Lawrence Journal World reported.

"Facilities remain the issue," Debra Lappin, a consultant with B&D Consulting, said. "We can't have Wahl/Hixon 50 percent completed and 100 percent dedicated. Recruits require a place to work."