PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Medical Center Foundation has presented $540,000 to Olympic Medical Center, the largest donation it has given to the hospital ever, according to the foundation’s executive director.
The donation, the largest single donation in the foundation’s 37-year history, was presented to the hospital commissioners on Wednesday.
The large gift was due to successful events that the foundation has staged this year, as well as gifts from an anonymous donor of $154,000 and a significant contribution of $150,000 from George and Barbara Brown, a retired couple living in Sequim.
Barbara Brown was treated at the Cancer Center and “appreciated their care,” Skinner said.
Foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner said that the foundation has given over $1 million to OMC this year, making it a record year for donations.
“We have been very fortunate to be the benefactor of many generous citizens in Clallam County,” said Karen Rogers, executive committee member and chair of the foundation’s Harvest of Hope and Red, Set Go event.
The donation will go toward the following:
• $310,000 to help fund the OMC Cancer Center’s new radiation Linear Accelerator.
• $15,000 for the purchase of computer treatment planning at the Cancer Center.
• $30,000 for the Patient Navigator program at the Cancer Center, which benefits low-income patients.
• $125,000 to purchase state-of-the-art imaging technology for OMC facilities in Sequim and Port Angeles.
• $30,000 for employee education.
• $30,000 for EKG machines for the OMC Heart Center.
“The new linear accelerator will ensure that the Cancer Center will remain a state-of-the-art facility,” Skinner said in a press release.
In 2011, the Cancer Center installed equipment that was the first of its kind in the sate, and only the fourth installed in the country, Skinner said.
“Because of an increase in patient volume, it was necessary to purchase the new equipment, which will complement the original linear accelerator with enhanced technology and software,” he said.
Those interested in more information or in making a donation to the foundation can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144, or email them at bruce@omhf.org. Interested people can also mail donations to 1015 Georgiana St.
“We hope that many local people will become a part of our fundraising efforts,” Skinner said.
