C O N N E C T I N G
B I S M A R C K
C A N C E R
C E N T E R
Hope Help Healing WINTER 2013-2014
OUR MISSION The mission of the Bismarck Cancer Center is to make locally available the highest quality, state-of-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.
Rhonda Fetch, Outreach Manager “We hope to reach out to let communities know what services we have, what we can offer, and how we can help bring education to them.”
OUTREACH:
Bringing the Bismarck Cancer Center Message to Rural North Dakota When diagnosed with cancer, folks in smaller rural towns face difficult situations. Not only do they need to travel the journey of cancer, they immediately find a need to travel to larger cities, such as Bismarck, for treatment. A collaborative effort of St. Alexius and Sanford Health, the Bismarck Cancer Center offers radiation services to patients across the state. Previously, North Dakota’s outlying communities seldom had direct access to staff from the Bismarck Cancer Center – other than through consultation on the telephone. BCC outreach services manager, Rhonda Fetch now travels to rural communities in order to bridge the gap – reaching out to medical facilities, working with health fairs and other medical events to develop professional relationships. “My focus is to provide information about Bismarck Cancer Center,” Rhonda said. “We hope to reach out to let communities know what radiation therapy services we offer, the supportive care we provide, and how we can help bring educational information to these communities.” Rhonda shares information about services that make a significant difference to a traveling patient. “We have multiple options, made possible through our Foundation, that help ease some burdens to our patients ,” she said. “The Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation offers gas cards for traveling patients and affordable accommodations at BCC apartments ($15/night) for those who are unable to stay with family or friends while in Bismarck. Our goal is to make travel for treatment much easier for those we serve. We’re encouraging outlying patients to come to us for treatment, while supporting some of their basic financial needs.” Additionally, the Foundation provides complimentary supportive services, including the relaxation of a massage after treatment from a massage therapist, a dietician to support nutritional
BCC employees Rhonda Fetch and Charity Rogstad celebrate project HOPE needs, a physical therapist and a REACH coordinator who assists with spiritual and emotional needs of patients – all of which are funded through various fundraising events. “We recently started project HOPE in Dickinson,” Rhonda said. “This educational event brings people together throughout a community, allowing participants to pay $10 for a weeklong opportunity to dress causal and wear cancer awareness colors for each day of the week. Participating employees are given educational material on cancers frequently diagnosed in the state.” The effort in Dickinson is one of several including those at Bismarck, Mandan, Beulah, Hazen, Washburn, Underwood, Turtle Lake, Garrison and Wilton – soon to include: Linton, Ashley, Wishek, Napoleon and Steele. Rhonda focuses on building relationships wherever she is, while in a community. Whether visiting with merchants or coordinating free cancer screenings, she becomes completely immersed in making a personal connection with all of those she meets. Traveling as far as both the South Dakota and Montana border as well as the Canadian border, she covers half the state. When reaching out to the communities, Rhonda takes time to let each and every one she meets know that BCC wants to provide as much care and comfort as they can, not only to patients, but also to local medical providers and personal caregivers. “It’s important to develop connections between us and these communities, while sharing about the services we offer at the center,” she said.