C O N N E C T I N G
B I S M A R C K
Another OUR MISSION The mission of the Bismarck Cancer Center is to make locally available the highest quality, stateof-the-art radiation therapy services to persons with cancer within the Bismarck service area. Such services shall be delivered, insofar as possible, without regard to reimbursement, and always in a supportive compassionate, and caring manner.
C A N C E R
Great Year
The Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation (BCCF) spent another great year providing wrap-around services for Bismarck Cancer Center (BCC) patients. BCC provides area patients with world-class radiation therapy treatments, and the Foundation helps with the other burdens that come with being diagnosed with cancer. Every year, the Foundation provides patients with a place to stay while undergoing treatment, gas cards to make traveling easier, nutritional suggestions to keep them healthy, and various outlets for emotional and spiritual support. In 2015, the Foundation did more for BCC patients than ever before, including the introduction of new art therapy classes. “Along with their cancer treatments, our patients deal with a lot of physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges while on their journeys. The Foundation allows us to cover the costs of providing unique services that wholly treat our patients—body, mind, and spirit,” Amy Gross, BCC Assistant Director of Operations, said.
“I live two hours away from Bismarck, so when I heard there were apartments available it really relieved my stress and let me focus on my health,” said Robin, a BCC patient. BCCF also provided 109 patients with gas cards totaling $15,800. Plus, the Foundation provided taxi rides or had volunteer drivers pick up patients when necessary. Beyond treating the cancer, BCC’s wrap-around services also focus on keeping patients physically healthy. Amanda Ihmel, BCC’s dietician, provided nutrition care to 609 patients in 2015. And while the new massage therapist, Courtney Hoffmann, wasn’t hired until the end of 2015, she still gave 161 relaxing massages to patients. These 10-minute massages provide a brief moment of stress relief to cancer patients. Home away from home for our patients who need a place to stay.
Spring 2016
for bismarck cancer center foundation
In 2015, BCCF offered housing and transportation assistance to out-of-town patients to ease the financial burden of travelling for treatments. The apartments maintained nearly 90% occupancy while accommodating 164 patients and their families for a total of 2,797 nights. At a rate of $15 per night for a two-bedroom, the Foundation’s apartments make it easy and affordable for patients to remain close to the cancer center during their treatments.
Deb Colton, REACH Coordinator
C E N T E R
Hope Help Healing
To help with the emotional and spiritual concerns that a cancer diagnosis puts on patients, the Foundation also works to provide counseling with an oncology social worker, Deb Colton. Within the first 10 days of treatment, patients meet with Deb in order to start the REACH program. REACH stands for “Resources, Educate, Advocacy, Care, Hope.” The program helps patients cope with their diagnosis, understand where their cancer journey
might lead them, and learn what steps they must take in order to get better. “We are so lucky to have the Foundation provide this complimentary REACH program so that when patients enter the Bismarck Cancer Center, they are automatically taken care of on a deep, emotional level,” Amy said. Deb saw 671 people through the REACH counseling program in 2015 and had 102 followup visits. In addition, three cancer center support groups help patients cope with their illness. The Breast Cancer Support Group had 82 participants. The Caregivers Support Group for Men had 41 participants, and the general Cancer Support Group attracted 104 participants. In order to help people express themselves and have a little fun, BCCF added a new program in 2015. In conjunction with the Art Gallerie on Main, the Foundation sponsored 10 different Art Healing classes, and 104 survivors attended. “We are so excited to add another service that is such a good outlet for patients as they work through their cancer journey. It’s especially great for those who aren’t always able to express themselves in other ways,” Tara Schilke, BCC Wrap-Around Services Coordinator, said. Because cancer treatments take a toll on the body, survivors often feel profound fatigue and deconditioning. In cooperation with CHI St. Alexius Medical Center, BCCF provides physical therapy evaluations for patients. There were 401 initial evaluations with 82 physical therapy referrals in 2015. Even after BCC patients have undergone treatment and their cancer is cured, their emotional turmoil might just be beginning. Which is why the Foundation ensures that patients receive a detailed survivorship care plan. In 2015, Sarah Klein and Corina Larson, BCC’s survivorship nurses, reviewed 716 survivorship care plans and held 1642 survivorship visits with patients. “The staff at the Bismarck Cancer Center is the most caring and compassionate staff that I have ever met. I was always greeted with warmth and enthusiasm and I really felt they cared. When I left after my treatments were over it felt as if I was leaving my family behind,” said Lloyd, another BCC patient. BCC doesn’t just treat cancer, we treat the whole individual. Our style of treatment would not be possible without the Foundation and the people who provide these special services. “We have amazing employees that provide these support services to our patients. They truly care for each one of them,” Tara said.