The Olympic Medical Center Foundation on Dec. 20 presented $79,193 to Olympic Medical Center’s board of commissioners for the expansion of the OMC Cancer Center.

The overall donation came as a result of several donations, and pushes the total of monies raised or pledged for the expansion to $511,000.

“We are extremely pleased that we have crossed the half million dollar mark in monies raised for this project,” foundation president Jim Jones said.

Foundation officials have set a goal of raising $1,000,000 for the expansion, as the number of patient visits at the cancer center has grown by 157 percent over the last 10 years.

Even more growth is expected in the future, national health officials say; according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the number of new cancer cases in the U.S. is expected to increase by 45 percent.

“It is imperative that we expand the space to treat cancer,” Jones said. “A successful capital campaign will ensure that we will have the capabilities to treat this dreadful disease locally.”

Persons who are interested in more information or in making a donation can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144, or by emailing to bruce@omhf.org.

“We hope that many local people will become a part of this fundraising effort,” Jones said.

“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.”