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. “Our administration is committed to fighting cancer by making targeted investments in innovative therapies that have the potential to save lives,” said Gov. DeSantis. “During my time as governor, we’ve increased funding for cancer research and treatment programs by more than 114 percent. The Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program has strengthened Florida’s position as a national leader in cancer research and innovation. We’re proud that Mayo Clinic chose Florida as the home for this groundbreaking initiative, and we look forward to seeing how these cutting-edge therapies give hope to patients fighting some of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers,” he continued. “Under the Governor’s leadership, Florida continues to lead in innovation, and today at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, we are proving that this leadership extends beyond our state, transforming not only how we care for Floridians, but also how the rest of America approaches cancer treatment,” Casey DeSantis said. “This state-of-the-art technology was made possible, in part, through funding from the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program,” she added. Proud to flip the switch with @GovRonDeSantis at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to launch the ONLY carbon ion therapy program in the Western Hemisphere. This innovative cancer therapy was made possible, in part, through funding from the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program. It’s a… pic.twitter.com/BG3qgXgIyZ — Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) January 15, 2026 News4JAX noted: Casey DeSantis, a cancer survivor, talked about the importance of investing in cancer initiatives like this new program. “Have courage and stay strong because you can beat it. And look at what the state of Florida is doing to help provide options that are nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere, but right here at the Mayo Clinic and right here in Florida,” the first lady said. The first patients to receive the new proton therapy are expected to be treated in early 2027, officials said.