Funding for a future expansion of Olympic Medical Center’s cancer care center in Sequim continues to roll in.
The Olympic Medical Center Foundation presented $50,000 to OMC’s board commissioners at their Nov. 15 meeting in Port Angeles.
The donation came as a result of several donations, including $25,000 from the First Federal Community Foundation.
“Very few businesses have done as much for the community as First Federal,” foundation president Jim Jones said.
In addition, foundation officials said that it had received gifts of $6,800 from the Sunland For the Cure Golf Tournament, and $4,500 from the Mad Hatter’s Tea organization. The former will go towards breast screenings for low-income residents, while the latter will be used for the Cancer Center’s Patient Navigator Program that is used to cover basic living costs for patients in need.
“Olympic Medical Cancer Center’s expansion will ensure that we continue offering exceptional care to cancer patients as our communities continue growing,” Karen McCormick, executive director of First Federal Community Foundation, said. “We are pleased at the opportunity to help OMC’s expansion initiative succeed.”
Bruce Skinner, Executive Director for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, said that organization has raised $434,000 towards the expansion, plus another $13,000 in pledges. The fundraising goal for the project is $1 million.
The First Federal Community Foundation was funded in January 2015 with a gift of cash and stock worth $12 million upon First Federal Bank’s conversion to a public company. Since that time the Foundation has given over $1.9 million to local nonprofits. First Federal, now in its 94th year, serves communities in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap and Whatcom Counties.
“It is imperative that we expand the space to treat cancer,” said Jones. “A successful capital campaign will ensure that we will have the capabilities to treat this dreadful disease locally.”
The number of patient visits at the cancer center has grown by 157 percent over the last 10 years, foundation officials said, and 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. The expansion will include additional clinical exam space, an expansion of the pharmacy, more infusion and chair space, and an education space that will allow for physicians and staff to explain the short and long term effects to patients and support them during difficult emotional times.
Persons who are interested in more information or in making a donation may call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144, or email to bruce@omhf.org.
“We hope that many local people will become a part of this fundraising effort,” said Jones. “It’s an opportunity for people to leave a lasting legacy, and 100 percent of the monies raised will go towards the project. There are also naming rights opportunities.”
