Fred Hutch - Proton Therapy

09/04/2026

Regardless of the prognosis, being treated for cancer is an emotional time and can be even more so when children are the patients. That's why we are continuously amazed at the resilience and positive attitude of our patients, like Hedley. Hedley had craniopharyngioma, a rare type of noncancerous . It’s generally slow-growing and is in the middle of the head, near nerves from the eyes to the brain and the pituitary gland, which controls most of the body’s hormones. Hedley's tumor recurred multiple times.

“Hedley was a terrific candidate for ,” said his doctor, Ralph Ermoian, MD. “Compared to conventional radiation, protons would be just as likely to cure him of the tumor. However, they would expose the healthy parts of Hedley’s brain to less radiation, resulting in fewer or less-intense side effects in the years and decades to come.”

"He usually came out of treatments smiling and goofing off," said Hedley's mother. He is engaged in school and many sports and a one-year post-treatment scan looked clear.

Read Hedley's entire story: https://bit.ly/4dwQKx1

09/03/2026

The Beam newsletter is out! Whether you're exploring treatment options, seeking trusted health information or looking to connect with the people behind your care, this issue has something for you. We're sharing one patient's experience and the power of a , expert guidance on screening, the vision of a new leader helping shape the future of proton therapy, and the story of a radiation therapist whose personal experience with fuels her dedication to patients each day. https://bit.ly/4i6rL8Q

09/02/2026

Our Fred Hutch Cancer Center - Proton Therapy team is here not only to treat , but to listen to you and take care of you and your family. They are experts in who focus on giving you personalized radiation treatment and who understand your questions, needs and concerns. Learn more about our incredible radiation oncologists! https://bit.ly/3P52i0M

09/01/2026

is the preferred radiation treatment for pediatric patients with solid tumors. That's because proton radiation can be calculated to stop at the tumor, which means little or no radiation impacts healthy tissue surrounding it. Oncologists are especially wary of children receiving unwanted radiation because their bodies and organs are still growing.

At Fred Hutch, we have several specialists who treat children at the proton therapy facility and can discuss with you in detail the benefits of protons for children: https://bit.ly/3P52i0M

08/31/2026

Fred Hutch researchers have identified a key step in the protein-making process that turns a treatable form of into a more lethal, drug-resistant subtype — and a way to switch it back!

The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, reveals a surprising trick prostate uses to quickly shapeshift and escape therapy without going through the cumbersome process of reprogramming its DNA.

https://bit.ly/3SkAAS6

Fred Hutch researchers show in recent study how aggressive prostate cancer shapeshifts from a form that is treatable with drugs to a more lethal form that is much less treatable. The study also describes potential ways to reverse that trick, forcing tumor cells to shapeshift back into the more treat...

08/29/2026

The discovery of protons - yes, those subatomic particles we use to treat in - can be attributed to New Zealand-born physicist Ernest Rutherford. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

In addition to showing that most of the mass of an atom is concentrated at its center and has a positive charge, he and his colleagues showed that each element could be given an "atomic number" based on their inner structure and the properties of each element could be defined by this number.

These concepts led to many further research in the field of physics.
Happy Birthday, Rutherford!

08/27/2026

Need tips on how to stay hydrated in the summer months while undergoing radiation? Our registered dietitian Laura Martinell, RD shares some tips in our The Beam newsletter column. Summer harvests guarantee an abundance of hydrating foods to help keep us cool during the hot months. And these foods are exactly what your body needs during radiation therapy. https://bit.ly/4furN8T

08/26/2026

Join us tonight at 5:30 PM for , focusing on .
Yoga Nidra is a deep, guided meditation that balances body, mind, emotions and spirit and helps with sleep. We will learn to practice gentle yoga movements and meditation so you can find yourself refreshed, renewed and empowered to tackle what comes your way.
Register here: https://bit.ly/41YIqle

08/26/2026

Tune in Thursday, August 27th for Music Heals: Beyond Cancer, a day dedicated to the power of music to lift our spirits and heal our souls in the face of . Throughout the day, KEXP will tell the stories shared with us by members of our community and play the songs that helped them through the healing process. Brought to you in part by Fred Hutch!
If you want to submit a song it isn't too late! Click here: https://bit.ly/4wUlHnA and there is a story submission form on that page!

08/26/2026

Travel alert: August 24–31
If you’re visiting the Proton Center this week, please allow extra travel time due to roadwork and closures in the surrounding area.
Road closure: Meridian Ave. N. between N. 113th and N. 115th streets.
Alternate route: Take Aurora Ave. N. to N. 115th St., or follow posted detour signs.
Additional neighborhood closures: https://bit.ly/4gU5qu0
Thank you for planning ahead!

Slurry seal construction near Haller Lake, August 24-26: we will resurface neighborhood streets near Haller Lake beginning Monday, August 24 through Wednesday, August 26. If you live on a street marked in blue on this map, please be aware!

The slurry seal process takes about 8 hours. During this time, cars cannot drive on the road while the slurry mixture dries. No Parking signs will be in place 3 days before the work begins to give you plenty of time to prepare.

Access to Northacres Park from 3rd Ave NE and Haller Lake's Street End from N 125th St will temporarily be restricted during this work.

Haller Lake: access to the Haller Lake Street End on N 125th St will be restricted on Tuesday, August 25 from 7 AM to 4 PM.

Northacres Park: access to Northacres Park from 3rd Ave NE will be restricted on Wednesday, August 26 from 7 AM to 4 PM.

For more info, visit our slurry seal website: https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/maintenance-and-paving/preventative-maintenance/slurry-seal