Over 400 people attend the September 28, 2005 Groundbreaking for the new NC Cancer Hospital

Attendees heard remarks from Bill Roper, Dean of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and CEO of the UNC Health Care system; UNC System President Molly Broad; James Moeser, Chancellor, UNC-Chapel Hill; David Weinstein, North Carolina Senate, 13th District; Richard Morgan, Speaker Pro Tempore, NC House of Representatives; Joe Hackney, Majority Leader, NC House of Representatives; Jeanne Lucas, NC Senate, 20th District and breast cancer survivor, introduced by Richard Goldberg, Division Chief, Hematology-Oncology and Associate Director for Clinical Research, UNC Lineberger. Keynote Address was delivered by Andrew von Eschenbach, Director of the National Cancer Institute, introduced by Shelley Earp, Director of UNC Lineberger.

High praise was given to the NC Legislature and to Governor Easley for their decision to provide$180 million funding for the new hospital. Also receiving thanks were University officials, UNC alumni, Lineberger Board of Visitors and patients and families who advocated for the construction of the facility.

Three-year-old Reece Holbrook, a leukemia patient being treated at UNC, received a Lance Armstrong "Live Strong" bracelet from Dr. von Eschenbach while Chancellor Moeser looks on.

The groundbreaking was led by Reece Holbrook

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach delivers the keynote address.

• Funding was made possible by a bill signed by Governor Mike Easley on August 5, 2004.

• NC Legislature Approved Funding for the NC Cancer Hospital on July 18, 2004.

• Read more about the groundbreaking

• Read Dean Roper's Remarks

• Read more about Reece Holbrook