BroMenn and St. Joseph Join Forces to Help Adult Cancer Patients
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A modern‚ low-rise building on a five-acre campus with towering shade trees is the peaceful setting for people challenged by cancer.
The Community Cancer Center‚ a joint venture of BroMenn Healthcare System and OSF St. Joseph Medical Center‚ provides community-based‚ comprehensive services to adult patients in McLean and the surrounding six counties.
The center opened in 1999 after a successful funding campaign. The two medical centers and State Farm Insurance Cos. donated $1 million each‚ with the remaining $6.2 million raised from individuals‚ corporations and civic and religious organizations in the area.
“Due to the community gifting us‚ the Community Cancer Center was able to open without debt‚” Executive Director Barbara Nathan says.
“And the community keeps on giving‚” she adds‚ with the donations now sustaining education and other support services.
Patients come to the Normal campus for outpatient treatment provided by medical and radiation oncologists and their support staffs.
“We have a state-of-the art facility and physicians participating in national research trials‚ so people can stay home for treatment‚” Nathan says.
In 1993‚ the Community Cancer Center became the first Midwestern facility to offer the Cyberknife®‚ a non-invasive treatment employing high doses of focused radiation to control a tumor or lesion within the body.
Initially targeting spinal and brain tumors‚ the technology was upgraded in 2005 to permit treatment of cancers of the lungs‚ liver and pancreas.
The center’s education and support programs are free to residents of the seven counties‚ even if they or a family member are not receiving treatment there. People may visit the library for informational materials and sign up for Community Cancer Center programs.
Oncologists‚ dietitians and nurses discuss the specifics of cancer care for educational purposes‚ as well as support.
“These presentations bring out networking and sharing among the audience members‚” says Candi Gray‚ an oncology social worker overseeing the programs.
The center also partners with other cancer organizations such as Us TOO!‚ an international prostate cancer support group‚ and Look Good … Feel Better‚ an American Cancer Society program for female patients that meets monthly at the center. Fox & Hounds Hair Studio and Day Spa in Bloomington houses the Wig Bank for patients.
The Community Cancer Center runs two programs for children in cooperation with the Illinois State University Child Life graduate program.
“The kids who had a parent with cancer named their group the Cool Club‚” Gray says. “We’ve added a grief group called Courageous Kids for those who have lost a parent.”
Story by Gretchen Monti
Photo by Brian McCord
