DALTON, Ga. — With a shovel in her hand and wearing a hard hat, two-time breast cancer survivor Julia Lansing danced as the song “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” blasted from speakers at the groundbreaking celebration for the Peeples Cancer Institute Thursday evening.

“I’m real thrilled about the center,” said Lansing, 80, of Rocky Face. “I volunteer at the Judd Cancer Treatment Center and we’re all excited about it.”

The groundbreaking was held to celebrate Hamilton Medical Center beginning construction on the state-of-the-art cancer institute. The institute will be located across from the Bandy Plaza near the corner of Broadrick and Memorial drives. The name is in honor of local philanthropists Willena and Shelby Peeples, who “provided a significant legacy gift toward the development of the cancer institute,” according to Hamilton officials.

Scott Sellers, chair of the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, said plans to develop the institute began in the fall of 2015 with the foundation adopting a goal to raise $8 million for the project.

“With a ‘can do’ attitude, our foundation and trustees rolled up their sleeves and got to work raising awareness and acquiring funds from our community,” he said. “I’m pleased to report that to date we’ve raised $9.1 million, the most of any campaign in the history of the foundation.”

The institute “will serve as a gateway to the existing medical campus, helping to promote future-based health care services through its modern, clean design,” the hospital’s website states. “Complete with a medical oncology clinic, the new facility consolidates radiation oncology, outpatient infusion and breast and diagnostic imaging services, which were previously spread throughout the campus, to encourage integrated physician collaboration and improved patient access.”

Jeff Myers, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Care System, which includes the hospital, said Dalton is blessed to have the facility.

“As we started this endeavor we went down a path of how do we take on advancing cancer treatment and care,” he said. “We’re grateful to the visionary leaders of Hamilton who are thoughtfully shaping and improving our ability to provide healing for the current generation and for those who come after.”

Bob Chandler, chair of the board of trustees for Hamilton Medical Center, said this is a great asset for Dalton.

“The best in health care does not have to be reserved for major cities. We can have it right here where patients can be with their family and friends,” he said.

Mayor Dennis Mock said the institute will greatly benefit the community.

“It’s a huge improvement for our quality of life,” he said.

“Most people have family members that have or have had cancer,” he said. “The travel and cost can be consuming. It’s a blessing to have convenient and cutting-edge technology in Dalton.”

Lansing said it was wonderful of the Peeples to make a donation to get the institute started.

“I’m thankful for it because being a cancer survivor we need this kind of treatment here,” she said.

Shelby Peeples said the institute is the result of a lot of hard work by many people.

“I’d like to thank the generations that made this possible,” he said. “I hope we can continue it for generations to come and get others to work hard to pass on to someone else.”

Margaret Secrest, 63, an employee at Bradley Whiteside Rehabilitation and a 17-year breast cancer survivor, spoke of the importance of having family nearby during the difficult times of fighting cancer.

“It’s really important to have family support near you during treatments,” she said. “A lot of the patients I see drive to other communities to get their cancer treatment. It’s going to be wonderful that it’s right here in the community.”