The original “Brotherhood of the Balloon” (ProtonBOB) is a group of prostate cancer patients who have chosen Conformal Proton Beam Radiation Therapy (Proton Treatment). The organization was formed in December 2000 by Bob Marckini and several patients of the Loma Linda University Medical Center Proton Treatment Center. Today they have nearly 3000 members, representing all 50 U.S. States and 21 different countries

 

The “FloridaBOB”, founded in February, 2007, which is a chapter of the “Original Brotherhood of the Balloon”, consists mainly of a group of Prostate Cancer Patients that have undergone Proton Therapy Treatment at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute (UFPTI), located in Jacksonville Florida. The "FloridaBOB" will also include all patients that have received Proton Therapy Treatments for any other types of cancers or tumors at  UFPTI or any of the existing Proton Therapy Treatment Centers and reside in the southeastern area of the United States.

 

Our mission is to bring patients together, past, present and future, which have chosen or are considering Proton Therapy as their treatment of choice. By sharing information and providing support for one another and discussing their treatment procedures with each other, it will help alleviate the stress and indecision associated with the treatment process that new patients might experience. This will also help in the healing process, both mentally and physically.

 

Visitors will be able to access this web site to learn more about Proton Therapy Treatment. They will also be able to read some of the first hand experiences by patients in the testimonial section of this web site.

 

It is recommended that “UFPTI “Proton Therapy Patients” not only become a member of the “FloridaBOB” but they should also join the original “Brotherhood of the Balloon”. For information or to access the Original “Brotherhood of the Balloon”, web-site go to the “Links” page of this web-site and click on “The Brotherhood of the Balloon” link.