Philanthropy will help expanding quality cancer care in our community | Guest Column

By Patty Rhoden
Posted 10/30/24

In Jefferson County, a remarkable transformation in cancer care is on the horizon, addressing a long-standing challenge for our community. The introduction of Radiation Oncology services at Jefferson …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Philanthropy will help expanding quality cancer care in our community | Guest Column

Posted

In Jefferson County, a remarkable transformation in cancer care is on the horizon, addressing a long-standing challenge for our community. The introduction of Radiation Oncology services at Jefferson Healthcare signifies a monumental step forward, offering local access to a vital cancer treatment that has been missing.

Our friends, families, and neighbors facing cancer have had to endure not just the physical and emotional toll of the disease but also the additional burden of traveling significant distances for radiation therapy. This journey, often an hour or more each way, not only adds to the stress and exhaustion of treatment but also disrupts work and family life, compounding the challenges patients and their loved ones face.

The centerpiece of this new service is a Linear Accelerator (LINAC), a state-of-the-art technology that will bring the best of cancer care to our doorstep. With the LINAC, Jefferson Healthcare can offer precision radiation therapy, a critical component in the treatment of various cancers, right here in our community. This advancement means that around 200 patients each year will receive high-quality care close to home, surrounded by their support networks and without the added strain of long-distance travel.  It will also allow for seamless integration of both radiation and medical oncology services when needed.  The treatment team will be working together right here in one location.

However, this leap forward in healthcare is not just about technology; it’s about people. It’s about improving health outcomes, reducing the logistical and emotional burdens on patients and their families, and ensuring that our community members receive the care they need in the place they call home.

To realize this vision, the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation has embarked on a crucial fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $2.5 million to purchase the LINAC, an investment in our community’s health and future. To date, we’ve made significant progress: we’ve received a planned gift, several local major individual donations, nearly $600k in grant funding, and over $100k in smaller donations, but we need your help to cross the finish line.

Your support can make a tangible difference. By contributing to this campaign, you’re not just funding a piece of equipment; you’re investing in the well-being of your community. You’re giving your neighbors, perhaps even your loved ones, a chance at better, more accessible treatment. You’re helping to build a future where top-tier healthcare is not miles away but right here, where it belongs.

Philanthropy plays a vital role in sustaining and advancing the quality of healthcare services we can offer. While we’ve made strides in raising funds for the LINAC, every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to our goal. Whether it’s through individual donations, corporate contributions, or community fundraising efforts, every act of generosity counts.

I am honored to be a part of the Foundation and working with such a highly rated hospital for quality and patient satisfaction. It is truly a pleasure to work with hospital leaders who have been so visionary in bringing new services to our community. 

I invite you to be part of this transformative project. Together, we can ensure that Jefferson Healthcare continues to provide comprehensive, compassionate care, right here in our community. This will be the first critical access hospital in the state of Washington to have a LINAC.  Your support is not just an investment in a machine; it’s an investment in the health and vitality of Jefferson County. Let’s come together to make this vision a reality, for the benefit of all who live here, because local healthcare is better healthcare! With Gratitude.

Patty Rhoden is president of the board of directors of Jefferson Healthcare Foundation.