Yochanan Friedman, PhD, a Chicago native who has been a RUSH patient for 40 years, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last October. He was among the first patients to be seen in the Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building.

“My hope is very optimistic that we will beat the cancer,” Friedman says. “And every time I go to treatment, I say we're one step closer to beating this thing.”

Opened earlier this month, the Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building is a destination for cancer, neuroscience and digestive diseases care.

“RUSH is becoming a major center. And the new cancer center just builds on RUSH’s reputation,” Friedman says. “When I first walked into the lobby of the new building — wow!”

On the building’s opening day, Friedman had blood drawn in the lab before completing his ninth sequence of chemotherapy in our private infusion rooms.

“Having the privacy of just family and friends around you makes you feel more comfortable receiving treatment,” Freidman says. “And knowing that the high-tech computer systems are in the room gives you a feeling that everything's on top, and I think that will be beneficial for other patients.”

"Every time I go to treatment, I say we're one step closer to beating this thing."

Friedman is grateful to his care team, which will determine his next course of treatment soon.

“Everyone has been so wonderful, caring and professional,” he says. “I tell people that I have tremendous confidence in RUSH and that they have the capability to do whatever is necessary to cure this cancer, both in medically and research wise.”

For more information on the Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building, visit rush.edu/rubschlager.