PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Dozens of running medals are proudly hung in Ron Wertley’s home.
Those races mean a lot to him, especially with what he’s been through.
“Yeah to do that while going through chemo? That was an accomplishment,” Wertley said.
What You Need To Know
- Ron Wertley of Land O’ Lakes survived leukemia while being treated at Moffitt Cancer Center. He welcomes their new Pasco County campus
- The state is now committing more than $700 million to the new campus in its new budget
- Moffitt is building its new 775-acre campus right off the Suncoast Parkway and the new Ridge Road extension
Ron is survivor of an aggressive form of leukemia he was diagnosed with 4 years ago at age 49.
He’s now in remission and can continue his active life, thanks to treatment he received at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.
“I owe my life to Moffitt,” Wertley said.
That’s why he’s relieved to hear the state is investing big bucks in Moffit’s new campus in Pasco County, not far from his home in Land O’ Lakes.
“With more people doing research, we can probably find a cure faster. Building more hospitals is also opening up more room for people,” Wertley said.
Ron Wertley is a leukemia survivor from Land O’ Lakes. He’s welcoming the news that the state of Florida is now investing into Moffitt Cancer Center’s future campus in Pasco County. @MoffittNews @BN9 pic.twitter.com/QCOqKmzqys
— Tim Wronka (@TimWronka) March 15, 2022
The new Florida budget includes nearly $150 million funding for the new cancer center in the next fiscal year. In addition, there will be recurring funds for the next 30 years, totaling more than $700 million.
Moffitt is building its new 775-acre campus right off the Suncoast Parkway and the new Ridge Road extension.
It will allow Moffitt to serve more patients and expand research, as well as double its amount employees, according to a news release from Moffitt.
Work on the new campus is set to begin later this year with first buildings expected to open in 2025.
That’s welcome news to patients like Ron.
“I hope they flood Moffit with money,” he said. “Build more hospitals, do more research. Hopefully this will all be over with.”
