Northern Light Health to establish center focused on genetic therapy for cancer

Northern Light Health is opening a new center focused on gene therapy thanks to a $10 million donation.

Ava Collins, president of Eastern Maine Medical Center, says the funding will allow the hospital to offer more clinical trials and precision medicine to cancer patients.

"So much more specific care based on your tumor type, the behavior of the tumor, and your genetic makeup," she says.

Collins says the center, which will be part of Northern Light's Lafayette Cancer Institute in Brewer, will also provide patients faster access to advanced therapies.

"We need to be positioned to offer these advanced therapies as soon as they are released by the FDA and are proven to be safe for patient care," she says.

Collins expects the new programs will be offered to patients in three to six months.

The gift is from Jim Gero in honor of his late with Cathy, who passed away from cancer in 2022.