PORT ANGELES — Olympic Medical Center is the recipient of a donation totalling nearly $50,000 from the Olympic Medical Center Foundation.
The foundation announced its donation of $49,221 to OMC at its commissioners meeting last Wednesday, according to a news release.
The gift includes $19,896 for a fetal heart monitor that will be used in the obstetrics department and another $29,235 designated for the expansion of Olympic Medical Cancer Center in Sequim.
“We are pleased to announce that we have now received over $300,000 in donations and pledges toward the cancer center expansion,” foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner said.
“Those gifts have come in large and small amounts from over 170 different donors.”
In addition, the foundation has donated $185,000 in gifts to other areas of the hospital throughout the past six months.
Foundation President Jim Jones and OMC commissioners recognized the efforts of Todd and Mary Irwin of Irwin Dental; Dan Wilder Jr. of Wilder Auto Group; Bill and Kay Hermann; Bill and Esther Littlejohn; and Larry Hueth of First Federal for their support in making the gifts possible.
“We also plan on making other donations that will benefit patients in even more departments of the hospital in the very near future,” Jones said. “Our mission is to improve patients’ lives at Olympic Medical Center.”
The number of patient visits at the cancer center has grown by 157 percent throughout the past 10 years, and even more growth is expected in the future.
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the number of new cancer cases in the U.S. will increase by 45 percent.
“Due to people living longer and an aging baby boomer population, the number of incidents of cancer is expected to rise,” said OMC CEO Eric Lewis.
Skinner said those interested in more information or in making a donation can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144 or email bruce@omhf.org.
“It’s an opportunity for people to leave a lasting legacy, and 100 percent of the monies raised will go toward the project. No funds will be used for administrative or fundraising costs,” said Cancer Center Expansion Fundraising Chair Bill Littlejohn. “There will also be naming rights opportunities.”
The OMC hospital board has been considering an expansion to the cancer center.
Future expansion of the cancer center is expected to include additional clinical exam space, an expansion of the pharmacy, more infusion and infusion chair space, and an education space that will allow physicians and staff to explain short- and long-term effects to patients and support them during difficult emotional times.
Lewis said that the expansion will make the cancer center viable for the long term, and that it will enable OMC to continue to recruit and retain the best physicians and other cancer professionals.
