Impact Report Cancer Care at PeaceHealth St. Joseph

Your Impact

on Cancer Care at PeaceHealth St. Joseph

Exceptional care close to home

St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation

You build a healthier community

For residents of Bellingham and surrounding areas, there’s great peace of mind in knowing that world-class cancer care is readily accessible here at home. And that care comes from PeaceHealth St. Joseph, because of you. The powerful impact of your generosity can be seen in everything from our ongoing technology and equipment improvements, to our ability to screen for more cancers, to increased staff training on advanced techniques that improve overall patient care.

All of this combined is helping patients fight — and win — their battle against such a deadly disease. Just as important, your generosity enables us to provide patients struggling financially with basic goods and services such as transportation, housing and food. Together, we can ensure high-quality care far into the future for anyone who turns to us, regardless of ability to pay. The impact you have on our community is truly transformative — and we are beyond grateful for your lifesaving generosity.

Thank you for investing in a healthy future.

Denise Walker, Vice President of Operations

You bring comfort, help and hope

Because of our generous donors, PeaceHealth St. Joseph continues to move forward in the fight against cancer. This year, we hired two new nurse practitioners and a medical oncologist, and are implementing the latest innovative CT technology this spring. We’ve also developed an Oral Chemotherapy Program designed to improve medication management and continuity of patient care. Plus, our survivorship program continues to grow, offering multiple support services like yoga classes and other wellness therapies for patients who’ve completed treatment.

This is the lifesaving care you make possible, thank you.

“ When I discovered I had a cancerous brain tumor, I immediately put my trust in PeaceHealth St. Joseph. The surgeon and staff did an excellent job. I am truly grateful for their abilities, experience and obvious knowledge. Now that I’ve moved to the next chapter in life as a cancer survivor, I still turn to PeaceHealth for their amazing survivorship support. I look forward to future days spent with my children and grandchildren. Thank you!” — Grateful Patient

You’re an innovator

It’s true. Your generosity is the very heart of everything we do at PeaceHealth St. Joseph to innovate and elevate the best possible cancer care close to home. Just this year, we celebrated the implementation of leading-edge SCOUT radar localization technology — largely thanks to you. Together, we raised nearly $61,000 to acquire this advanced system for use in the treatment of early-stage breast cancers, thereby helping to ease the surgical process for our patients, while availing surgeons with the latest breast conservation equipment.

Our new state-of-the-art SCOUT system means:

> Wire-free radar localization technology for more precise tumor detection during surgery.

> Increased probability of complete cancer removal, reducing the need for follow-up surgery.

> Better outcomes, accuracy and more comfortable treatment options for our surgical breast cancer patients.

The power of your giving

15,601 individuals received life-sustaining treatment last year, such as chemotherapy and innovative immunotherapy

2,373 people had access to our leading-edge radiation services

Your heartfelt dedication to the health of your community is evident with every gift you make. Thank you.

Your gifts reach those in need

Because of you, compassionate care radiates across our community, touching the lives of many patients who have little means to access the treatment and support they need and deserve throughout their cancer journey. They are neighbors like one of our recent patients — a young woman only 29 years of age, who had just moved to the Bellingham area when shortly thereafter was diagnosed with rectal cancer.

She didn’t have insurance, had only worked in Washington for a few months, and, thus, was unable to qualify for the state’s Family and Medical Leave benefits. Our Cancer Center’s financial advocate quickly took action to assist her in obtaining health insurance that would help cover the costs of essential and potentially lifesaving care.

Thanks to your kind-hearted support, this patient was then able to obtain financial assistance for grocery coupons and other basics items, all while she kept trying to work as much as possible during treatment. Our care advocate also showed her how to use GoodRx for prescription assistance. What’s more, she was connected to other vital wrap-around support at our Cancer Center, including social services and advocacy, nurse navigation and nutrition.

For this patient and so many others, starting the path toward hope, healing and a brighter future would not happen without you.

You help save lives

Your gifts support exceptional cancer care for families, friends and neighbors right here in our community, close to home, in familiar and nurturing surroundings.

Your generosity allows us to advance not just cancer care, but care in every other field of medicine that benefits hundreds of community members every day.

Your partnership inspires us as we continue our healing mission of serving anyone entrusted in our care, regardless of ability to pay.

Wonderfully, 100% of the dollars you’ve given stay right here in Whatcom County to create a healthier community for us all!

To learn more about the power of your giving, contact:

Amber Asbjornsen, CFRE Chief Philanthropy Officer

St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation

aasbjornsen@peacehealth.org 360-788-6853

Britt Kane Philanthropy Officer

bkane1@peacehealth.org 360-303-1641