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New era of fighting cancer
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By Angie Hutschreider
angieh@newstribune.com
A crowd gathered at the main entrance to Capital Region Medical Center's Southwest Campus in Jefferson City Thursday morning as the hospital marked the beginning of construction for the Goldschmidt Cancer Center.
Ed Farnsworth, president of Capital Region Medical Center, called the Goldschmidt Cancer Center a new beginning for cancer care in Mid-Missouri.
“Cancer has been the focus of Capital Region Medical Center for a long time,” Farnsworth said. “And with the development of the Goldschmidt Cancer Center, we are continuing that focus with convenient, compassionate and comprehensive cancer care.
Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry spoke to the crowd about her experiences with cancer. Her grandfather died of lung cancer and a 23-year-old friend was taken by ovarian cancer.
“(The Goldschmidt Cancer Center) is going to be an incredible place for the patients and their families,” Berry said. “That family support is vital, because cancer does not just affect the patient, it affects the whole family.”
Berry went on to say that research has shown cancer is the number two killer in he United States each year, with one in fourth deaths - or 565,000 deaths yearly - attributed to the disease.
“Cancer can affect anyone,” Berry said. “One in two men will get cancer and one in three women will also face the disease.
“But the good news is, people are living longer, healthier lives after being diagnosed. There are 8.5 million Americans with cancer histories living.”
Dr. Jay Allen, radiation oncologist, said that for the first time since records have been kept on cancer diagnosis, the number of diagnosis and death in the last year has been down. He called the center a great addition and service to those in this and area communities.
A lighting ceremony was held in which candles were lit for varying aspects of cancer and the cancer center.
Those lighting candles included Nancy Vostal and Charlie Dudenhoeffer, co-chairmen of the Light of Life campaign; Peter Alfred Goldschmidt and Pamela Goldschmidt; Dr. Tami Hopkins; Evelyn Loethen, chairman of the Capital Region Medical Center Foundation; Berry and Allen.
Berry called the Goldschmidt family along with other supporters of the center “incredible, heart-warming people.”
The center should be completed by Spring 2008.
The idea for the center was first presented to the community by Capital Region Medical Center's Foundation Director Rita Kempker.
Robert Fluegge, Director of CRMC Imaging and Radiation Therapy, said the new center will house nearly all of the equipment needed for any testing or treatment that a patient may need.
“Radiation and chemotherapy treatments, as well as MRI and CT scanning capabilities, will be available under the same roof resulting in the unique ability for cancer patients to receive coordinated care and treatment,” Fluegge said.
“Other components of the center, including nutritional counseling, spiritual care and a family resource center, will ensure the total needs of cancer patients and their families are met,” Fluegge said. “Capital Region physicians and other medical professionals will work together at the Cancer Center to develop individualized treatment plans and coordinate schedules that will be most convenient to patients.”
Peter Goldschmidt, the facility's namesake, said that he feels this service is one the community has needed and can benefit from greatly. “The technological advances the facility will have ensures the latest cancer treatments available. It will have the equipment, and the skilled medical professionals working there,” Goldschmidt said.
“We are really bringing the latest medical technology for our citizens to be treated appropriately without having to travel out of the area.”
The outpatient facility will be nearly 25,000 square feet. The center was designed by Lawrence Group Architects, St. Louis. The contract for construction of the project will be awarded in early 2007.
Fluegge said that treatment will begin as soon as all of the equipment is moved into the building following construction.
Goldschmidt and his wife Dana, gave a “generous and wonderful gift that was the largest gift ever received by our hospital,” said Kempker.
Goldschmidt, who lost both his father and a sister to cancer, said it was the idea of the CRMC Foundation.
Through the “outstanding support this community has given to me and my family that has allowed my family to be able to contribute to the new cancer center.”
Through the “Light of Life” employee campaign, CRMC staff has raised more than $46,000, bringing the total raised for the $7 million project to $2.2 million.
Ed Farnsworth, president of Capital Region Medical Center, called the Goldschmidt Cancer Center a new beginning for cancer care in Mid-Missouri.
“Cancer has been the focus of Capital Region Medical Center for a long time,” Farnsworth said. “And with the development of the Goldschmidt Cancer Center, we are continuing that focus with convenient, compassionate and comprehensive cancer care.
Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry spoke to the crowd about her experiences with cancer. Her grandfather died of lung cancer and a 23-year-old friend was taken by ovarian cancer.
“(The Goldschmidt Cancer Center) is going to be an incredible place for the patients and their families,” Berry said. “That family support is vital, because cancer does not just affect the patient, it affects the whole family.”
Berry went on to say that research has shown cancer is the number two killer in he United States each year, with one in fourth deaths - or 565,000 deaths yearly - attributed to the disease.
“Cancer can affect anyone,” Berry said. “One in two men will get cancer and one in three women will also face the disease.
“But the good news is, people are living longer, healthier lives after being diagnosed. There are 8.5 million Americans with cancer histories living.”
Dr. Jay Allen, radiation oncologist, said that for the first time since records have been kept on cancer diagnosis, the number of diagnosis and death in the last year has been down. He called the center a great addition and service to those in this and area communities.
A lighting ceremony was held in which candles were lit for varying aspects of cancer and the cancer center.
Those lighting candles included Nancy Vostal and Charlie Dudenhoeffer, co-chairmen of the Light of Life campaign; Peter Alfred Goldschmidt and Pamela Goldschmidt; Dr. Tami Hopkins; Evelyn Loethen, chairman of the Capital Region Medical Center Foundation; Berry and Allen.
Berry called the Goldschmidt family along with other supporters of the center “incredible, heart-warming people.”
The center should be completed by Spring 2008.
More treatment options on way
After years of planning and construction, the Goldschmidt Cancer Center will open in April 2008 offering those in the community suffering from cancer more convenience and the latest technology. Construction for the facility began today following a special lighting ceremony and groundbreaking event.The idea for the center was first presented to the community by Capital Region Medical Center's Foundation Director Rita Kempker.
Robert Fluegge, Director of CRMC Imaging and Radiation Therapy, said the new center will house nearly all of the equipment needed for any testing or treatment that a patient may need.
“Radiation and chemotherapy treatments, as well as MRI and CT scanning capabilities, will be available under the same roof resulting in the unique ability for cancer patients to receive coordinated care and treatment,” Fluegge said.
“Other components of the center, including nutritional counseling, spiritual care and a family resource center, will ensure the total needs of cancer patients and their families are met,” Fluegge said. “Capital Region physicians and other medical professionals will work together at the Cancer Center to develop individualized treatment plans and coordinate schedules that will be most convenient to patients.”
Peter Goldschmidt, the facility's namesake, said that he feels this service is one the community has needed and can benefit from greatly. “The technological advances the facility will have ensures the latest cancer treatments available. It will have the equipment, and the skilled medical professionals working there,” Goldschmidt said.
“We are really bringing the latest medical technology for our citizens to be treated appropriately without having to travel out of the area.”
The outpatient facility will be nearly 25,000 square feet. The center was designed by Lawrence Group Architects, St. Louis. The contract for construction of the project will be awarded in early 2007.
Fluegge said that treatment will begin as soon as all of the equipment is moved into the building following construction.
Goldschmidt and his wife Dana, gave a “generous and wonderful gift that was the largest gift ever received by our hospital,” said Kempker.
Goldschmidt, who lost both his father and a sister to cancer, said it was the idea of the CRMC Foundation.
Through the “outstanding support this community has given to me and my family that has allowed my family to be able to contribute to the new cancer center.”
Through the “Light of Life” employee campaign, CRMC staff has raised more than $46,000, bringing the total raised for the $7 million project to $2.2 million.
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