Most of us know someone who has been touched by cancer. My story began many years ago, when my best friend was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, at just 19 years old.
As I stood with him through his journey, I was drawn to working in this field to help others. I entered medical school knowing I would specialize in cancer care and never looked back. Today, I could not be prouder to practice at an institution like Bassett, where we offer cutting-edge cancer treatments and clinical trials to people in the most rural corners of the state, our mission rooted in academics and research that span more than a century.
Bassett Cancer Institute maintains one of the longest-running hospital cancer registries in New York state. The number of people seeking treatment at our facilities is growing each year. In the eight-county region Bassett serves, we see higher-than-average rates of cancer for many reasons — our population is older, economically disadvantaged, and lives with other chronic health conditions that are risk factors for cancer. In 2022 alone, we saw 26,963 cancer visits.
These numbers continue to climb, which is why we have launched a $2 million fundraising initiative, led by Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network, to contribute to expanding our medical oncology unit at FoxCare Center in Oneonta — our cancer center with the highest number of patient visits in the network. The major project will add exam rooms, increase our number of infusion treatment bays, modernize our cancer pharmacy, provide a more comfortable, soothing environment for patients and add more doctor’s offices, among many other improvements.
In addition, as part of this initiative, we are working to raise an additional $1.5 million to purchase a new mobile cancer screening coach, which will help us reach a significant number of patients across our 5,600-square-mile region to provide life-saving diagnostic and preventive screenings at low or no cost. Expanding our clinic spaces and amenities is crucial — but so too is our mission to make early detection possible. Our mobile coach has been off the road since 2023 due to engine failure. It is vital that we get a new coach to meet this critical health need in our communities.
Every patient deserves optimal care, and Bassett Healthcare Network is dedicated to continuing to provide access to advanced cancer care in our rural region. This initiative will help us continue meeting the needs of increasing patient volumes and accommodate the latest advances in cancer treatment and technology.
I’ve been practicing medicine for a long time. Bassett is a special place, and our commitment to our patients remains as true today as ever — we’re here to provide superb care to our communities who depend on us.
Learn more about Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network’s Cancer Institute Initiative by visiting friendsofbassett.org, calling 607-547-3081 or emailing friends.office@bassett.org.