Truman Medical Centers announced Monday that the newly expanded and relocated oncology unit, set to open in early 2014, will be called The Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Center at Truman Medical Centers. The $2.3 million gift by the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation endows the first cancer care center to bear the family’s name in Kansas City, Mo, and demonstrates their continued investment in research and cancer care on both sides of the state line.
“This is a momentous day for TMC and for cancer care in the Kansas City Metro area,” said TMC President/CEO John W. Bluford. “The R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation gift is another spark in the collaboration that exists among 15 hospital and research organizations throughout the region and spurs advancement of all of the member organizations of the Midwest Cancer Alliance.”
The Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Center at TMC will focus on state-of-the-art quality care, comfort, safety and providing a healing environment for patients and their families. At nearly 17,000 square feet, the new cancer center will more than triple the size of the current unit at TMC. The new center will feature a comforting welcome area, 10 dedicated exam rooms and one procedure room along with 16 chemotherapy infusion rooms equipped with comfortable recliners and individual TV/entertainment centers for patients. Dedicated to the convenience of patients, the center also will feature an on-site pharmacy with specially trained oncological pharmacists, patient navigator staff available for consultations, education and a social worker to help address patients’ ongoing medical and home-life needs. A special “boutique” also will be available that provides consultations and private fittings for wigs and prosthetics for patients during advanced cancer treatment.
“My goal in life is to make a difference in people’s lives,” Annette Bloch said. “I’m so happy to be a part of the wonderful care given to cancer patients at Truman Medical Centers.”
TMC is an active member of the Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA) and works in collaboration with the University of Kansas (KU) Cancer Center on clinical trials. This relationship has resulted in a regional, advanced collaborative approach to research. Specifically, through expanded enrollment capacity, TMC patients have increased access to MCA sponsored clinical trials through the KU Cancer Center and in turn the trials’ research has benefited from expanded demographics including patients with co-morbidities and/or socioeconomic disparities.
“This generous gift from the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation not only strengthens cancer care at Truman Medical Centers, but it will also help expand research opportunities and promote our shared goal of health equity across all Midwest Cancer Alliance institutions,” said Roy A. Jensen, M.D., director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
