Impact Report Cancer Care at PeaceHealth St. John

Your Impact

on Cancer Care at PeaceHealth St. John

Exceptional care close to home

St. John Medical Center Foundation

You build a healthier community

For residents of Cowlitz County and surrounding areas, there’s great peace of mind in knowing that advanced cancer care is readily available here at home. That care comes from PeaceHealth St. John, because of you. The powerful impact of your generosity can be seen in everything from new technologies for use in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, to innovations in outpatient chemotherapy treatments, to our advanced diagnostic therapies and outpatient 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 critical cancer services for patients in need, ensuring high-quality care 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.

Karla Houk,

RN, BSN, OCN, Columbia Network Cancer Program Manager

You’re an innovator

It’s true. Your generosity is the very heart of our every effort at at PeaceHealth St. John 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 at our Kearney Breast Center — largely thanks to you. This advanced system is designed for use in the treatment of early-stage breast cancers, 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 techonolgy for more precise tumor detection during surgery.

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

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

Thank you for helping to make our life-affirming and lifesaving care possible.

The power of your giving

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

156 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.

You bring comfort, help and hope

Because of your kind-hearted generosity that touches so many lives around you, the Lower Columbia Cancer Center at PeaceHealth St. John has been able to install a state-of-the-art new ceiling lift. This allows more comfortable and efficient transfers for our immobile patients who must undergo out-patient chemotherapy.

Prior to installing the lift, it was difficult for us to treat immobile cancer patients on an out-patient basis. Those with spinal cord tumors, lymphoma or other immobilizing conditions would have to experience longer waits for much-needed chemotherapy. Now, thanks to the lift provided by generous donors like you, immobile patients can receive essential treatment in a timely manner during hours that work within their family and other caregivers’ schedules.

“ As someone whose life was saved by PeaceHealth St. John doctors 25-years ago, I am happy for any innovation that makes treatment and surgery better for newly diagnosed patients. Surgery is now so much more precise, less invasive and less likely to have to be repeated. I am happy to do my part to pay it forward for others.”

— Arleen Hubble, Foundation Board Member and Stewardship Committee Chair She is grateful to you for supporting advances in cancer care at PeaceHealth St. John.

You ensure patients are not alone

With the help of generous community members like you, we’re able to launch a number of compassionate care services that support cancer patients every step of the way, including our special Infusion Bags program.

On day one of entering our Cancer Center, each patient is given a PeaceHealth Infusion Bag which becomes the go-to spot for holding anything and everything someone might want during time in treatment. Our caregivers see patients regularly returning to their chemo appointments with Infusion Bags stuffed full of books, relevant clinical resource documents, lists of questions they may have about their own self-care, and much more.

Our Infusion Bags, funded entirely by philanthropy, serve as a physical reminder of the important connection between PeaceHealth patients and their caregivers, and the collective power we have to ensure cancer patients are never alone during their treatment journey. Here are some tangible items found in our Infusion Bags:

• Healthy drink samples that aid in good nutrition.

• Sunscreen to encourage patients to limit sun exposure.

• ChapStick as a reminder of the importance of oral care.

• A water bottle to prompt patients to stay hydrated.

I didn’t expect the level of care I received at PeaceHealth St. John in Longview because it is such a small town. If you are going to have someone take care of you though, this staff is as good as it gets.”

—

John Reginato PeaceHealth St. John Radiation Oncology Patient

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 Cowlitz County to create a healthier community for us all!

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

Amy Leggio I Executive Director aleggio@peacehealth.org I 360-414-7901