Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/627246
More an a Hpital We're Expanding! This summer, the Donayre Cancer Care Center will celebrate a milestone: the grand opening of our new location on Columbus Regional Healthcare System's campus. Allowing us to care for even more patients, our new home will feature twice the number of exam rooms, with an increase in the number of infusion chairs and patient beds as well as a conference space for consultations with patients and their families. We'll also be increasing the number of services we offer. Our expanded services will include transfusions and, thanks to our affiliation with the Levine Cancer Institute, clinical trials and virtual consultations with specialists in Charlotte. These modalities will supplement our existing clinical and holistic capabilities, which include chemotherapy, nutritional and spiritual counseling, and pet, art and music therapies. "When patients have to travel to receive treatment, they have less time to spend with their families," says Lisa Thomas, MSN, RN, OCN, director of the Donayre Cancer Care Center. "We offer cancer care so patients don't have to travel far for the best care, and we focus on treating the whole person—not just his or her disease." FINDING A PLACE TO TURN Angela's diagnosis spurred an investigation to find the best possible treatment option. She considered the physicians and nurses at several facilities, as well as the amount of time she'd have to travel to receive treatment and the associated travel expenses. She soon found she didn't have to leave Whiteville for care. "During my research, I found that my treatment course would be the same at every facility," Angela says. "I chose the Donayre Cancer Care Center at Columbus Regional [affiliated with Carolinas Healthcare System Levine Cancer Institute] because of the physicians, staff and facility." Angela had a double mastectomy at CRHS, followed by chemotherapy, which she recently completed. Angela has HER2- positive breast cancer, which means a protein known as HER2 is present on the surface of cancer cells. To remove HER2, Dr. Fink has prescribed a medication called Herceptin. Angela is currently completing Herceptin therapy and credits Dr. Fink and the DCCC team with her progress. "The physicians and staff members at DCCC are outstanding caregivers," Angela says. "They care about each patient as an individual, not as a number. They listen to what you have to say and are understanding of everyone's individual cancer journey." To watch a video about the Donayre Cancer Care Center and our philosophy of caring for our community, visit crhealthcare.org/services/cancer-care. "I would encourage all local patients and their families to research their options for treatment. In doing so, I believe they will find the Donayre Cancer Care Center offers up-to-date treatments delivered by an excellent, caring staff of physicians and nurses right here in our backyard." — ANGELA GRIFFIN, A REGISTERED NURSE WHO RECEIVED BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS AT THE DONAYRE CANCER CARE CENTER 5 CRHEALTHCARE.ORG