The Oklahoma Proton Center is gaining national and international attention after being featured in the award-winning documentary The Accelerator, a film that traces the scientific origins and modern impact of proton therapy in cancer treatment.
The documentary, which has screened at multiple film festivals, explores the life and legacy of physicist Dr. Robert R. Wilson, whose work helped establish proton therapy as a precise and less damaging form of radiation treatment for cancer patients. The film connects Wilson’s early scientific research with today’s life-saving medical applications.
The Accelerator chronicles Wilson’s journey from working on the Manhattan Project during World War II to grappling with the ethical consequences of scientific discovery. In 1946, Wilson published the paper “Radiological Use of Fast Protons,” which laid the groundwork for proton therapy, a technology designed to target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
The film highlights how modern centers, including the Oklahoma Proton Center, continue to expand access to proton therapy across the United States.
“We are honored that The Accelerator brings broader public attention to the origins and promise of proton therapy,” said David Raubach, chief development officer for the Oklahoma Proton Center. “This film not only honors Dr. Wilson’s visionary contributions but also reflects the real-world impact that proton therapy has on patients and families seeking cutting-edge cancer treatment.”
According to the center, the Oklahoma Proton Center has treated thousands of patients with various cancers, providing proton therapy for conditions including breast, lung, prostate, brain, esophageal, and head and neck cancers. The facility emphasizes precision treatment designed to reduce side effects and improve quality of life.
Dr. Steven J. Frank, deputy division head of strategy and executive director of technology and innovation at MD Anderson Cancer Center, served as the clinical expert for the documentary.
“It was an honor to be part of this important documentary on Robert Wilson as the father of medicinal proton therapy,” Frank said. “His intellectual journey has been instrumental in improving the lives of cancer patients and will have significant impact for future generations.”
The Accelerator has screened at the dead Center Film Festival in Oklahoma City and the Round Top Film Festival in Texas, with additional showings at Cornell Cinema and the International Uranium Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro, where it received an Honorable Mention.
The documentary is available for rent or purchase through Vimeo on Demand, and more information is available at the film’s official website.
The Oklahoma Proton Center, based in Oklahoma, specializes in proton therapy, one of the most advanced forms of radiation therapy. The center treats hundreds of patients each year from across the country, offering targeted cancer care designed to limit damage to healthy tissue while effectively treating tumors.
The film is available for purchase or rent on Vimeo on Demand at the following link: Watch The Accelerator
For more information about The Accelerator and to watch the trailer visit https://theacceleratorfilm.com/
