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 Givers
Hope Help Healing Winter 2016
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. The Bismarck Cancer Center’s annual Hope Giver’s Extraordinaire Event was held on Thursday, November 17, at the Bismarck Ramkota Hotel. There were over 150 people in attendance at this appreciation event aimed at thanking businesses, groups, and organizations who helped support the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation in 2016.
“ The Hope Giver’s Extraordinaire is one of my favorite events,” said BCC’s Executive Director Amy Gross. “Bringing together a crowd of individuals who have given their time, energy, resources, and talent to help us serve those with cancer is beyond humbling.”
The Hope Giver’s Extraordinaire is an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the community that supports the Center through donations, in-kind gifts, special events, volunteer time and countless hours of energy. Because of the generosity of so many in 2016, the Bismarck Cancer Center was able to give over 2,000 massages, 500 physical therapy evaluations and referrals, 600 counseling sessions with patients and family, housing assistance to 150 patients, dietary support to 300 patients, over 1,000 REACH support visits and 1,500 survivorship visits. The evening started with a social, hors d’oeuvres and a saxophone serenade by the Cancer Center’s own Jay Risk. Center Director Amy Gross welcomed
everyone and presented a tribute to former Director Ken Dykes (Bismarck Cancer Center’s original Hope Giver) to honor his years of service with the Bismarck Cancer Center. Mr. Dykes lost his battle to cancer in June of 2016. Those that have helped the Bismarck Cancer Center in the past year were presented with appreciation certificates. Special awards were presented to Applefest for the ‘My Hero Event’ award, Deb Colton for the ‘My Hero Inspiration’ award, BCC Volunteers for the ‘My Hero Volunteer’ award, and Bertie Bishop for the ‘My Hero Caregiver’ award. The evening came to an emotional close as the crowd watched Judi Swanberg’s survivor video and listened to her retell the story of her cancer journey and share