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The planting of tulips and daffodils on an early spring day in Vineyard, Utah, marked the beginning of a new chapter for Huntsman Cancer Institute at the (the U).
Huntsman Cancer Institute recently broke ground on its second Comprehensive Cancer Center. Community members, leaders, legislators, donors, students, patients, and staff all gathered at the future site of this vital new facility in the heart of Utah County. As part of the ceremonial groundbreaking, representatives from the various communities involved in the project joined together to plant flowers in garden boxes鈥攕ymbolizing hope, new beginnings, and the spirit of collaboration at the heart of Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard.
Blossoms of Hope
鈥淭hese flowers are symbols of resilience, of hope, of new beginnings,鈥 , chief executive officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute, said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
Like the spring flowers planted during the ceremony鈥攖ulips and daffodils鈥攖he Vineyard location also represents hope.
Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard, which will open to patients in fall 2028, is dedicated to delivering prevention, hope, and healing for patients and their loved ones. Not only will the new location ease the travel burden for patients in central and southern portions of the state and beyond, but the new facility will also expand capacity for research, care, education, and training that are needed as the state of Utah and the surrounding region experience significant population growth. By expanding access to cutting-edge clinical care and providing innovative research opportunities, Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard will bring healing and hope closer to even more patients and communities.
鈥淚 was truly honored to participate in the flower ceremony... This felt like the first step in connecting the work we are doing to the reality of this amazing project.鈥
Julia Beynon, MHI, RN
Julia Beynon, MHI, RN, Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital senior nursing administrator, was one of around 40 different people who were asked to plant a flower in the garden boxes at the groundbreaking. Participants invited to plant a flower were identified as representatives of many of the key groups who have been essential in advancing this important project.
鈥淚 was truly honored to participate in the flower ceremony,鈥 Beynon says. 鈥淢any of us have been planning, designing, and working on this project for well over a year, and this felt like the first step in connecting the work we are doing to the reality of this amazing project that will benefit so many patients and caregivers鈥攅specially those who live far from a major medical center.鈥
Growing Together
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the flowers were transplanted to Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 flagship campus in Salt Lake City. When the construction on the Vineyard location is completed, the flowers will be replanted there, but until then, they will grow and flourish as a representation of the vital connection between Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 Salt Lake City and Vineyard locations.
As Huntsman Cancer Institute expands into Utah County, the collaboration between scientists and clinical providers at both locations will further advance innovative cancer research and care to better support communities in the area we serve. Together, the two locations will work to achieve Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 vision: passionate individuals and teams delivering a cancer-free frontier through scientific discovery and human touch.
This collaborative spirit extends to the many communities who are involved in the Vineyard project. Huntsman Cancer Institute is already working closely with the City of Vineyard as well as academic and training partners in Utah County, including Utah Valley University (UVU), Brigham Young University (BYU), and the tech hub. The new Huntsman Cancer Institute location will strengthen these collaborations by supporting workforce development, training opportunities, and hands-on learning for the next generation of scientists and health care providers throughout the region.
鈥淭he flowers we planted symbolize this incredible spirit of collaboration as we work to bring hope and healing to even more communities in Utah and the Mountain West.鈥
Don Milligan, MBA
Additionally, leaders in Vineyard and the broader Utah County are aligned with Huntsman Cancer Institute. Shared goals related to health, workforce training, more clinical care resources, and innovation with the business community were a critical factor in the community inviting Huntsman Cancer Institute to Utah County. Several of those leaders participated in the flower planting ceremony, including Curtis Blair, president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Utah County Commissioner Amelia Gardner, and former Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
Don Milligan, MBA, Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital executive director, also planted a flower during the groundbreaking. He was inspired by the ceremony that brought so many groups together, including professors and interns from both UVU and BYU, Huntsman Cancer Institute staff, and community members and patients from Utah County.
鈥淗untsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard is a project that is only possible with the support of community members and leaders,鈥 Milligan says. 鈥淭he flowers we planted symbolize this incredible spirit of collaboration as we work to bring hope and healing to even more communities in Utah and the Mountain West.鈥
Rooted in Generosity
Gathering the financial resources to build the project has been the major focus of Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Several of the founding supporters to the project were among those who planted a flower.
One donor representative, David Bearss, reflected, 鈥淥ur support for the new Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard is deeply personal to our family. I lost both my mother and grandfather to colon cancer both at a young age, and my father-in-law also passed away from cancer. This gift from our family is a tribute to their lives and a commitment to a future where fewer families face the heartbreak of cancer. We are proud to support world-class cancer research and care right here in Utah.鈥
鈥淭his gift from our family is a tribute to their lives and a commitment to a future where fewer families face the heartbreak of cancer.鈥
David Bearss
Photographed: Jared Bearss and other members of the Bearss family, who were among the participants in the flower ceremony
The growing community of supporters who are funding this project are critical to bringing hope and healing closer to families. Other founding supporters to date for Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard include the Bertin Family Foundation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Andrea and James Clarke, Clyde Companies, Flagship Companies, the Kahlert Foundation, Robert and Susan Kimsey, Julie M. and David S. Layton Foundation, John and Stacy Lippert, the State of Utah, Dave and Rachel Weidman Family, and Woodbury Corporation.
Construction of the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard facility is scheduled to be completed in fall 2028.
Join the community of supporters who are funding this project and bringing healing and hope closer to families.