Campaign to Benefit Cancer Center Expansion Progresses

Jan. 24, 2011  

Jackson, Mich. — In November the Allegiance Health Foundation officially launched a new capital campaign -- Healing, Hope, Home -- to support the redesign, construction and addition of new medical equipment and services for the Allegiance Cancer Center.

Construction on the new Allegiance Cancer Center will begin as soon as the matching gift requirement has been met. The project will cost $8.2 million, with $1.1 million contributed by the University of Michigan, $5.1 million from Allegiance Health and $2 million contributed from the Capital Campaign.

According to Bill Kiel, vice president of Development for the Allegiance Health Foundation, the Campaign has received a $1 million pledge—contingent upon other community members matching the gift. To date, the Foundation has received more than $790,000 toward this match.

Dawn Foods Foundation recently made a generous grant to the Cancer Center. Sarah Richmond, president of Dawn Food Foundation, said, “Part of our foundation’s initiative is to improve the health and welfare of our community. We are delighted to join Allegiance in bringing a higher level of comfort and care to those with cancer. We can’t wait to see the work begin.”

Allegiance has also received significant donations from other area foundations and corporations including Alro Steel, Gerdau MacSteel, the Hancock Foundation, the Hurst Foundation and Mission of Hope Cancer Fund

Redesigning the Allegiance Cancer Center will increase the scope and reach of the medical treatment and care Allegiance is able to offer locally and provide cancer patients with the most advanced medical and surgical technologies and an exceptional care experience in Jackson.

The Cancer Center’s redesign is already seeing forward momentum. For example, the Radiation Oncology Department, a partnership with the University of Michigan, has upgraded to a new $3.6 million linear accelerator, which is in the final stage of installation and testing.

The Clinac® iX linear accelerator is an innovative, sophisticated technology that provides precise and powerful cancer treatment, targeting a dose of high-energy X-ray to a tumor. The technology makes it possible to aim higher doses of radiation directly to tumor cells while significantly reducing exposure to normal tissues near to the tumor.

For patients, this increased accuracy and power means:

  • Faster treatments
  • Greater comfort
  • Fewer side effects
  • The potential for better outcomes

Karen Yacobucci, executive director, Allegiance Oncology Services, said, “With this combination of clinical expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, we can ensure our patients the very best in cancer care. We can only reach these goals, however, with the full support of our community.”

The community is invited to view the new linear accelerator at an open house on Wednesday, February 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Details will be disclosed in a future press release.