Proceeds to benefit the Psychosocial Oncology and Survivorship Program
(WILMINGTON, Del. – Oct. 1, 2015) The Friends of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, a group of more than 60 volunteers who support cancer programs at Christiana Care Health System’s nationally recognized cancer center, marks 12 years of supporting patients with a special gala, “Celebration of Hope”, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Wilmington Country Club.
The Friends have worked to raise both funds and awareness for cancer programs that enhance the patient care experience, support cancer research and educate the public on the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer. Proceeds from the Celebration of Hope gala will benefit the Graham Cancer Center’s Psychosocial Oncology & Survivorship Program, which helps patients and their families navigate their journey through cancer.
Among the 15,000 or more patients followed annually by Graham Cancer Center clinicians and professionals, about 48 percent have need of psychosocial services.
“We’ve all had family and friends affected by cancer, either directly or indirectly, and we need to work together to support our loved ones who face this disease,” said Lois Galinat, chair of the Friends. “We are fortunate to have a world-class facility in the Graham Cancer Center that offers quality care for cancer with a multi-disciplinary approach right in our own backyard.”
Now in its 12th year of caring for patients with cancer, the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute has risen to national prominence not only for its patient-centered way of care, but also for its robust research and clinical trials programs. The Graham Cancer Center was one of the first cancer centers in the nation designated as a U.S. National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Center. Since 2003, the Graham Cancer Center has experienced more than 1.4 million patient visits.
Founded by Carroll Carpenter, chair of Trustees for Christiana Care Health System, the Friends work in cooperation with the clinical staff to advance hospital initiatives that benefit patients. Early on, the group raised money to buy a CyberKnife, a robotic radiosurgery system that delivers beams of high-dose radiation to tumors with extreme accuracy. The group also helped to fund its special needs fund, which helps patients with medication, transportation to and from appointments, supplies and nutrition counseling.
The Friends also support the Center for Translational Cancer Research at the Graham Cancer Center, where researchers are exploring innovative and effective ways to treat cancer.
Established in 2009, the Center for Translational Cancer Research, seeks to quickly move benchresearch to the bedside by applying basic science discoveries to the development of therapies for cancer.
“The Friends of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center have been extremely generous in their support of our cancer center and of our community,” said Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of the Graham Cancer Center. “Thanks to their support many of our programs and technologies, we are able to provide cutting edge, high-quality care to our patients.”
About Christiana Care Health System
Christiana Care Health System is one of the country’s largest health care systems, ranking as the 22nd leading hospital in the nation and 12th on the East Coast in terms of admissions. The health system includes The Christiana Care Medical Group, a network of primary care physicians, medical and surgical specialists as well as home health care, preventive medicine, rehabilitation services and patient/family advisors for core health care services. A not-for-profit teaching hospital affiliated with Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Christiana Care is recognized as a regional center for excellence in cardiology, cancer and women’s health services. Christiana Care has an extensive range of outpatient services, and through Christiana Care Quality Partners, Christiana Care works closely with its medical staff to achieve better health, better access to care and lower cost. Christiana Care is home to Delaware’s only Level I trauma center, the highest capability center and the only one of its kind between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Christiana Care features a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, the only delivering hospital in Delaware that offers this highest level of care to the most critically ill newborns. Christiana Care includes two hospitals with 1,100 patient beds.
For more information about Christiana Care, visit www.christianacare.org/whoweare.
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