On June 27, the team at Northern Light Cancer Care at the Lafayette Family Cancer Institute in Brewer celebrates a new era for Maine patients with a ribbon cutting ceremony for two state-of-the-art linear accelerators.

The newest linear accelerators use superior imaging techniques with lower doses of radiation, flexible high-performing radiation treatment beams, and allow for sub-millimeter pin-point radiation accuracy. These enhanced features provide more efficient treatments, enhanced accuracy for safer treatments, and allow for shorter wait times for patients.

“The need to treat more patients with precise radiation therapy continues to grow,” says Ava Collins, president, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. “We are so pleased that with generous community support, we’ve been able to bring our newest linear accelerators online to continue to care for our patients now and well into the future.”

This installation brings Northern Light Cancer Care up to three state-of-the-art linear accelerators available for patients. The advanced technology syncs all three linear accelerators with each other, making it easier for staff to seamlessly shift patient treatment to another machine when needed.

This new technology is made possible by the generosity of John Marshall Webber who posthumously donated more than $12M to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, a portion of which was earmarked for a new linear accelerator. This advanced machine joins the linear accelerator installed in 2024 with funds raised through Champion the Cure Challenge.