By Danielle
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the launch of the nation’s first carbon ion therapy program to treat cancer.
“Governor Ron DeSantis joined First Lady Casey DeSantis and Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Kent Thielen to announce that Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is launching the first carbon ion therapy program in America and the only carbon ion therapy program in the Western Hemisphere,” a press release read.
At a press conference, Casey DeSantis discussed her experience with radiation therapy and said the groundbreaking program provides “hope” to many cancer patients.
Footage below:
BREAKING: @GovRonDeSantis and @CaseyDeSantis visit Mayo Clinic Jacksonville as Florida powers up the nation’s first carbon ion therapy system, part of the state’s record $218M 2025 cancer funding.
“As someone who’s been through radiation therapy… it gives you hope patients… pic.twitter.com/bvcGtcFRHd
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) January 15, 2026
Florida Politics has more:
Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis returned to Jacksonville to highlight new investments at the Duan Family Building at the Mayo Clinic. It’s part of $218 million appropriated last year, marking over a billion dollars since the Governor was elected, with more than $100 million going to Mayo alone.
“We are here today with the backdrop of all the heavy artillery you see for treating cancer to announce the next major step forward,” the Governor said.
“Mayo Clinic is now launching the technology for the first carbon ion therapy program anywhere in the United States of America. And in fact, it’ll be the only carbon ion therapy program in the entire Western Hemisphere. So this is newer technology. Japan has really embraced it. Mayo’s the first one in the United States.”
Roughly $30 million of state money went into this initiative, which the Governor said is the most advanced form of radiation treatment for cancers that don’t respond well to traditional radiation. He also said it’s a way to continue boosting the “upward trajectory of the medical community” in Florida.