Sidney Health Center is hosting a Cancer Survivor Celebration open house for area survivors, family and friends on Tuesday, June 5 from 4:00-6:00PM in the Cancer Care Suite.
Each year, National Cancer Survivors Day is observed on the first Sunday of June. This year marks the 25th annual celebration of life for hundreds of communities worldwide. Cancer survivors, caregivers, family members, friends and healthcare professionals unite to show that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful and productive.
The general public is invited to attend the open house at the Cancer Care Suite, located at 214 14th Avenue Southwest in Sidney. There will be tours of the radiation therapy area as well as updates on the construction of Phase II, which entails relocating chemotherapy to the Cancer Care Suite.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to honor area cancer survivors and share the exciting news regarding the construction of Phase II,” commented Judy Carda, Cancer Care Manager. “We can hardly wait to see this project to completion. Our patients will see the benefits first hand from improved privacy to personalized care.”
According to a 2011 assessment, Phase II of the Cancer Center was a high priority for cancer survivors. In fact, the majority of focus group members wrote down Phase II as the number one action step for Sidney Health Center to become a cancer center of excellence. Many focus group members raved about the care they had received through the chemotherapy department despite the location, referring to the designated space in the ER area.
Phase II involves renovating Suite 103 in the clinic and building a private entrance to the Cancer Care Center. Upon completion of the project, all outpatient cancer care services will be centralized, enhancing and streamlining patient care for those going through treatment. The renovation includes adding four chemotherapy and IV therapy infusion rooms with a centralized nursing station as well as providing designated clinic space for the medical oncologist.
Anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life, is a cancer survivor, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. Nearly 12 million Americans are now living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer. In the United States, men have a slightly less than a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer; for women, the risk is a little more than 1 in 3. Learning about this disease is crucial, because many forms of cancer can be prevented and most cured if detected early.
Major advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment have resulted in longer survival, and therefore, a growing number of cancer survivors. However, a cancer diagnosis can leave a host of problems in its wake. Physical, financial and emotional hardships often persist after diagnosis and treatment. Survivors may face many challenges such as hindered access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments, inadequate insurance, financial hardships, employment problems and psychological struggles. In light of these difficulties, our community needs to focus on improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.
“Despite the adversities, cancer survivors serve as an inspiration to all of us,” stated Dr. Lyle Harrison, radiation oncologist. “I’ve been serving the MonDak region for 15 years and it never ceases to amaze me the strength and courage that many cancer patients display through the course of their treatment.”