25 1988-2013 YEARS of Hope Carson Cancer Center
A Wish What started as a wish and a dream has become a thriving center of hope and healing for the many patients and families in our region touched by cancer. As we celebrate 25 years of providing comprehensive cancer care, we are reminded of the inspiring courage and sacrifice by those who have and continue today to give of themselves to ensure those who hear the words you have cancer can still enjoy the freedom of life. As we celebrate our 25 th anniversary of providing cancer treatment to residents of Northeast Nebraska, we reflect on Johnny who we have long admired and loved, as well as the many others who have helped make this cancer center a reality. We would not be the cancer center we are today without the continued generous contributions that Johnny Carson, the John W. Carson Foundation and many other donors have made. Mohammed Zahra, M.D. Radiation Oncologist Faith Regional Carson Cancer Center
January1987 Responding to the Need The Norfolk community should feel blessed to have the Carson Cancer Center in the area. It is a convenient location to towns in Northeast Nebraska especially when you need daily radiation treatments for 6-7 weeks. The staff is friendly and highly experienced and work efficiently as a team. Thank you for such a wonderful facility. Darlene Johnson, Norfolk, NE
16,1987 October Ground Breaking Construction of the center was assured through a combination of many generous donors and a $650,000 gift from former Norfolk resident Johnny Carson, given in memory of his parents Ruth and Kit Carson. Dr. Gordon Adams (third from right) served as campaign chairman for fundraising efforts
A Letter from Johnny: 1988 Grand Opening Dedication of the Carson Regional Radiation Center
1996 Coming Together Following the merger of the two Norfolk hospitals to create Faith Regional Health Services, the Center was renamed the Carson Regional Cancer Center
1997 AdvancingCare Linear Accelerator Upgrade Thanks to the ongoing support from generous donors, we have been able to continually purchase, enhance and improve life-saving equipment needed for radiation therapy.
1998 The skill and the professionalism is absolutely unbelievable. After having been there, I know the Carson Cancer Center is the best. Mike Center Accreditation Cox, Burwell, NE The Center was recognized by the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) and became the only fully-accredited cancer facility in Nebraska. Throughout the years, the Center has continually achieved national accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACOS).
As an RN who works in the treatment room and as a patient who has received chemo and radiation at the Carson Cancer Center I know first hand the positive impact that the Center has on patients and their families. We are blessed to have this beautiful facility in our community. Judy Miller, Hoskins, NE Beginning each day with radiation treatments five days a week for fourteen weeks presented a daunting preface to my Yuletide holiday, but the warmth of the Carson Cancer Center doctors, nurses, and staff, plus the eventual success of the treatments, rewarded me with a truly happier new year. Paul Peister, Norfolk, NE
2003 I went through thirty-five treatments in 1989 and to this day I am cancer-free. The staff made a difficult and scary time bearable for me and my family. Having the Carson Cancer Center in Norfolk saved my wife and me daily trips to Omaha. Even now (twenty-four years later) when I m out and see someone from the Center who helped me, they offer a greeting and a smile. Steve Steele, Norfolk, NE Center Relocation to Medical Offices West Radiation and Medical Oncology services provide comprehensive care in one location.
I received two short series of radiation treatments at the Carson Cancer Center in 2012 and again in 2013. Both times I was able to ride the van to and from treatments. The van driver was so friendly, considerate and helpful. It really relieves the stress of getting to and from treatments. Elzoe Kirkpatrick, O Neill, NE 2005 Improving Treatment Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) Techonology advancements in treatment such as Intensity-modulated radiation therapy, combined with support services such as patient transportation, provide hope and healing.
2011 New Services Cancer Wellness Survivorship Training and Rehabilitation (STAR) goes beyond traditional treatment to help patients deal with the aftereffects from a surgery or from a cancer treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, which can be as challenging to patients and their family as the disease itself. The STAR program helps connect patients with the right resources to help them thrive and heal.
New Technology CT Scanner A new open CT 40-slice scanner enables faster, more comfortable imaging exams for patients while providing improved diagnostic and treatment capabilities. The Carson Cancer Center radiation and chemotherapy staff felt like family to me. They were always caring and made me feel comfortable, which made treatment so much easier. Mandi Flood, Norfolk, NE
2013and beyond Being diagnosed with cancer can be very traumatic, but the calming effect of the very competent, kind and caring staff at the Carson Cancer Center soothed my apprehensions and fear. The receptionists, nurses, doctors, and precise technicians, right here in Norfolk, restored my spirits and my life. J. Paul McIntosh, Norfolk, NE
What a gift the Carson Cancer Center is and the team of professionals who work there. Not only are they experts in medicine, they are healers of the soul! They are not only able to medically treat and cure cancer, but perhaps more significantly, help patients cope and have hope. The profound experience of battling cancer will forever be woven into the fabric of my being. I shed a few tears from time to time tears of joy, tears of thankfulness but always tears of hope! Mary Kay Uhing, Norfolk, NE
Carson Cancer Center Norfolk, Nebraska