The University of Maryland School of Medicine is laying the last beam at its new $200 million cancer treatment facility.
A crane will lift the nine-foot beam three stories above the street and rest it in place at a "topping out" ceremony on Thursday. The new center is part of the university's BioPark development in west Baltimore. The center will offer proton therapy, which more precisely targets radiation to tumors and results in fewer side effects. The facility is expected to begin treating patients in 2015.
University officials say nearly 400 invited guests are signing the white beam in a variety of colors representing different cancer types. The colors include pink for breast cancer, orange for kidney cancer and grey for brain cancer.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
