Foundation For Community Care Still Seeking Donations For Cancer Center Expansion

Construction of the expansion to Sidney Heath Center's Cancer Center is on track to be completed in October 2023. The decision to expand the Cancer Center was made as Sidney Health Center's TomoTherapy Hi-Art radiation system is reaching the end of its use, having been incorporated into Sidney Health Center's cancer services in 2011. A new radiation vault is being built to accommodate the new TomoTherapy machine, while keeping the current machine up and running so patients' treatments aren't disrupted.

Additionally, a hyperbaric chamber is being added to the Cancer Center's services. Hyperbaric chambers are hyper-oxygenated chambers that help heal wounds and are beneficial for diabetics as well as cancer patients who might get radiation burns. There is also a positive impact for diabetic patients, those suffering from decreased lung capacity due to covid, and those with dementia and concussions.

There are also plans to bring in a second oncologist to meet the needs of cancer patients.

The total cost of the project is about $7.2 million; Sidney Health Center has funded the new $3 million TomoTherapy machine, and the Foundation for Community Care (FFCC) promised to contribute $2.5 million through fundraising efforts.  One million has been raised to date, with an additional $1.5 million needed.

Melissa Boyer, FFCC director, noted that the project has received excellent corporate and individual support. The FFCC has gotten $100,000 from the Otto Bremer trust grant, Oneok has donated $60,000, and Basin Electric and Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Cooperative have pledged $100,000 over the next five years.

"Supporting the Cancer Center is supporting so much more. One in three people are diagnosed with cancer, so if it isn't you, it is probably someone you know," Boyer explained. "Having local cancer treatment services means people don't have to travel and take on that expense and stress. They get to sleep in their own bed and have their family and support systems with them."

Construction began in August 2022, the new TomoTherapy machine will be ready in December 2023, and it will be ready for patients in January 2024.

Minus a few bricks, the exterior of the new addition is complete and work is being done on the interior.

"Corland Construction, Sidney, has done a great job keeping on schedule," Boyer said.

While the hard labor of physically building the addition is in capable hands, the FFCC is still looking for anyone willing to contribute to these much-needed cancer treatment services. Donations can be made online at http://www.foundationforcommunitycare.org or by utilizing the QR code, you can give them a call at 406-488-2273, or stop by their office at 221 2nd St. NW, Sidney. They will be happy to answer any questions, and have your support in their cause of ensuring access to excellent, lifelong healthcare services for our community!