A steel beam that will soon crown the University of Chicago Medicine’s new cancer pavilion is more than just a structural element — it’s a symbol of hope, dedication and collaboration.
Covered in more than 3,400 signatures and heartfelt messages, the 31-foot-long beam reflects the shared journey of those impacted by the disease.
At a ceremony held last Tuesday, UChicago Medicine leadership, staff, patients and community members gathered at the Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery on the UChicago campus to sign the beam as a way to honor cancer patients, clinical progress and pavilion’s construction teams.
“About 16 months ago, we broke ground on this special building — today is a major milestone,” said Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, Director of the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC). “Within this cancer pavilion, patients will find not only treatments but also hope from our groundbreaking clinical trials, personalized therapies and compassionate care.”
Set to open as the AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion in 2027, the 575,000-square-foot facility will be the first freestanding center in Illinois dedicated solely to cancer care and research.
‘There’s hope for tomorrow’
For Garry Belony, RN, signing the beam was a full-circle moment. The South Side resident was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2022 and underwent surgery and follow-up care at UChicago Medicine, the same place where he works.
“I want to tell people: Don’t be afraid,” said Belony, 54. “With the new pavilion, there’s hope for tomorrow. And it’s on the South Side of Chicago.”
Belony was joined by two others — Johnny Maxwell, who survived stomach and colon cancer; and Candace Henley, a colon cancer survivor — to ring the ceremonial bell that marks the end of a person’s cancer treatment.
Afterward, hands met steel as guests used colored markers, each representing a different type of cancer awareness, to personalize their message on the beam.
To read more of the story, go to UChicago Medicine's website.
