News Release, December 14th, 2009

Governor provides funding for Kanzius Project

State Representative John Hornaman represented Governor Edward G. Rendell in announcing a Department of Community and Economic Development grant of $500,000 to benefit the dream of the late broadcast executive John Kanzius to develop a device to stop cancer in its tracks.

The grant will be shared by the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, which focuses on awareness and funding of the research using Kanzius’ radio-wave invention, and Industrial Sales & Manufacturing of Erie, which is designing and producing the prototype human-sized scanner beds for human trials.

Rep. Hornaman, who arranged the first meeting between the Governor and Kanzius in May of 2008, thanked the Governor for the funds and for expediting the process. “I am proud that the Commonwealth is recognizing the incredible promise that this research offers,” he said. “I am also excited when I think about the local development potential and the job opportunities that will be created.
“John Kanzius’ vision was about hope. This grant will fortify his vision and that hope. His invention has the potential to be the greatest cancer break-through in the last half-century,” Hornaman remarked.

James “Jim” Rutkowski Jr., general manager of Industrial Sales & Manufacturing, a local family business involved in the production of the device, spoke about some technical aspects and how the grant will help in the manufacturing of Kanzius’ invention. “Engineering is in progress and this grant from the Commonwealth will certainly assist us in getting the final human-size scanner beds produced so Phase 2 human trials can begin. We owe the Governor and Rep. Hornaman a huge debt of gratitude in getting us all to the next stage,” Rutkowski stated.

Mark Neidig, executive director of the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, expressed excitement on behalf of his board members, including president Maryann Yochim and member Patrick Fetzner who were also present. "An announcement like this is really great news for all of us. More specifically for the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, it is another milestone that our project has passed. It will help us get to FDA approval so we can move forward to human trials.

“We celebrate with Industrial Sales and echo all of your expressions of gratitude to Governor Rendell and those who made this funding possible,” Neidig commented. He particularly commended Representative Hornaman for his diligent pursuit of the state funding and for his persistence in urging others to continue contributing generously to this research. “For generations to come, we have the unique ability to keep this hope alive for cancer patients and their families around the world,” he said.
The news conference was held at Industrial Sales & Manufacturing’s laboratory, where Kanzius actually worked on his invention. Rep. Hornaman concluded, “This project began as a local initiative by the local inventive genius of John Kanzius, who was a cancer victim himself; today it is advancing with national recognition and support.”