Time to invest in cancer center for area

By Mary Quass

‘You have cancer.” These three simple words changed my life forever.

Like thousands of other Iowans who've received this devastating diagnosis, I instantly stepped from my comfortable, seemingly secure existence into a frightening and unfamiliar world.

Searching for answers and praying for a cure, I turned to Mercy Medical Center. Mercy has long been the leader in cancer care in Cedar Rapids, and their experience showed in the quietly confident and compassionate care I received from the doctors, nurses and staff there.

It's been 12 years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and medical science has advanced dramatically since then. Mercy's mission, meanwhile, has remained steadfast: to provide the best cancer care in Cedar Rapids and beyond.

That commitment has culminated in Mercy's recent decision to build a new Destination Cancer Center on its campus in downtown Cedar Rapids. As a member of Mercy's board of trustees, I have seen the plans for the cancer center, which I believe will contribute significantly to the health of our community and our economy.

The facility is well positioned to become a cornerstone of the city's planned medical district and help spur the redevelopment of the flood-impacted downtown. As a business person, I know that a reinvigorated downtown is vital to the future of our city.

Most important, as a cancer survivor, I recognize the critical importance of having a state-of-the-art cancer center in Cedar Rapids, easily accessible to all who need treatment. Unfortunately, the numbers are great. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Iowa.

So creating a facility focused exclusively on caring for cancer patients and their families is the logical next step for our community. And, I believe Mercy is best the place to build the cancer center.

Mercy has many existing resources and depth of expertise in helping people cope with cancer. This legacy goes back 50-plus years, beginning with the Hall Radiation Center, which remains the area's only radiation center and will be an integrated part of the new cancer center.

Anyone who has ever battled this awful disease will tell you that's it's a challenging journey for body, mind and spirit. That's why having a single, unified cancer center is so important. Stress management is a huge part of fighting cancer as you're suddenly plunged into a whirlwind of tests, treatment options and specialists from every corner of medicine. And the stress doesn't stop with patients. Families and friends also struggle when a loved one has cancer.

I am energized by the vision for the Destination Cancer Center. It will pair the best medicine with the most compassionate care.

When you walk through the doors you'll enter a sensitive, supportive environment, tailored completely to helping you navigate the entire cancer treatment process. Each patient will be guided by a dedicated nurse navigator, who will assist you with everything from setting up appointments to answering the most detailed questions.

Each patient will have his or her own dedicated team of medical professionals as well as dietitians, massage therapists and a spectrum of other specialized care givers. Being under one roof will enable collaboration and provide the kind of integrated care that's proven most effective for treating all types of cancer.

With all the uncertainties surrounding health care reform, the time has come to invest in the future of cancer treatment in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding communities. We must ensure that those who are diagnosed with cancer can find the care they need right here - at home.

Mary Quass, president and CEO of NRG Media LLC, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, is a member of Mercy Medical Center Board of Trustees and is a breast cancer survivor. Comments: mquass@nrg

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