Community Cancer Center campaign nears goal as July deadline looms

An artist's rendering of what the proposed Fitzgibbon Hospital Community Cancer Center will look like when completed.
(Contributed image)

[Click to enlarge]

Fitzgibbon Hospital CEO Ron Ott said Thursday, May 1, that he's convinced the Cancer Center Campaign will be a success.

"We have a wonderful community here and they won't let it fail," he said.

With 90 percent of the needed funds in hand, Ott and Fund Development Officer Gayle Carter firmly believe they will meet a July 11 deadline to claim $200,000 in additional funding from The Mabee Foundation.

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation was established in 1948 to aid charitable hospitals and other, similar organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Fitzgibbon Hospital is a 503(c) (3) not-for-profit community hospital.

Carter said, "Many said we could not do it. There were some people didn't believe in our cause at first, but now they do. We're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."

The lack of nearby cancer treatment has placed a heavy burden on those who must travel many miles for treatment. Many local residents have spent weeks and weeks of endless days on the road between Marshall and Columbia, or Marshall and Kansas City, in order to obtain life-saving chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Carter said she has heard more than a few "horror" stories from patients about how difficult those trips can be, and how exhausting for people already very ill.

Dr. Roy Elfrink confirms how stressful this situation is. "Cancer affects the patient's physical and mental outlook, and places tremendous stress on a patient and a family," he said.

Ott said the idea for the center really came "from the community." After discussing it with hospital staff, he said, he took the idea to the hospital's Board of Trustees.

"Everyone was excited about the idea … and thought we should pursue it."

The goal of $4 million was set in the early summer of 2006.

The late Ann Waldorf Stapleton, an avid supporter of the campaign, made almost 80 trips out of town for treatment of her cancer.

"How nice it would have been to be able to have had them close to home," she said.

Within six months, the fund had grown to $1.35 million.

The late Derl Bernard of Sweet Springs, long-time mayor and city alderman, said, "It seems that cancer is becoming more prevalent in this area. If we can save our citizens from having to go out of the county for services, that will be a great help."

In fact, Saline County is expected to experience from 140 to 150 new cases of cancer each year. Surrounding counties will generate an additional 732 cases combined.

By April 2007, they'd passed the $2 million mark.

Georgia Yates, who beat cancer three times, has also lost three siblings to cancer.

"Despite the excellent care we received (in Columbia), I can't tell you how much we all dreaded those trips," she said.

In February 2008, they crossed the line at $3.4 million.

Heather Arth underwent chemotherapy twice and had 30 rounds of radiation treatments. She said a cancer center at Fitzgibbon would mean a lot for those who don't have transportation to other cities for their treatments.

"People would come here from out of town for treatment," she said, "especially folks who live north of Marshall."

The cancer center is expected to draw patients not only from Marshall, but also from surrounding counties, especially to the north. Ott pointed out that many residents of Lafayette, Carroll and Chariton counties already come to Fitzgibbon for other types of care.

This is the first time Fitzgibbon Hospital has asked for financial support from the community since the early 1950's, when the original hospital facility on Brunswick Avenue was expanded.

Ott said he has been very pleased at the community's response to the campaign.

"This is a very giving community and I'm proud to be part of it," he said.

About $2 million of the funds will go toward construction of the building itself. The vault that holds the radiation equipment requires walls six feet thick. The facility will adjoin existing hospital buildings.

The linear accelerator will consume close to $1.5 million. The rest of the money will provide furnishings and other equipment for the center.

Ott said specialized nursing and radiation therapy technologists will likely be employed by Fitzgibbon Hospital, with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists coming from a large group of cancer specialists.

Carter said she's looking forward to the day when the center is open.

"Rural counties deserve this … they are just as important as larger cities … and have the same medical needs," she said.

Carter said, "Our community cares too much about their neighbors to let it fail."

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net