Posted on February 7, 2011

Mayo Clinic Receives $100 Million Gift From Iowa Businessman

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has announced a $100 million gift from long-time patient and donor Richard O. Jacobson to help establish a multi-site Mayo Clinic Proton Beam Therapy Program.

The largest gift by a living donor in the clinic's history will support a $400 million facilities expansion on its Rochester and Phoenix campuses. Proton beam therapy represents an advance over traditional radiotherapy, in that the beam is targeted only at the tumor, sparing surrounding tissue and nearby organs and enabling it to be used at higher therapeutic doses.

The program will use advanced intensity-modulated technology known as pencil beam scanning, which reduces the number of short- and long-term side effects patients may experience. Mayo estimates that 1,240 patients will be treated annually with the therapy at its Rochester campus — which will be named after Jacobson in recognition of the gift — increasing to about 2,480 patients when both facilities are fully operational by early 2016.

Over the years, Jacobson — the founder of Jacobson Companies in Des Moines, Iowa — has donated millions of dollars to the clinic for a broad range of programs.

"What a profound demonstration of trust and passion for Mayo Clinic," said Mayo Clinic president and CEO Dr. John Noseworthy. "Mr. Jacobson's awe-inspiring generosity will benefit adults and children from all walks of life. Our new facility will be a lasting legacy to honor his gift."