FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2004
Contacts:
Katy Strausborger or Patrick Bannon, Rockey Hill & Knowlton, 206.728.1100
Katie McCarthy, Overlake Hospital, 425.688.5177
Amy Gepner, Evergreen Hospital, 425.899.1882
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and Overlake Hospital Medical Center
Serve as Founding Community Partners of the Expansion
SEATTLE – March 15, 2004 – Building on a successful model of 30 years of service in the community, Cancer Lifeline, an education and support organization for cancer patients, their families, caregivers, friends and co-workers, has expanded to the Eastside. The new center, named Cancer Lifeline-Eastside, is now up and running at the Eastgate Office Park off Interstate 90 in Bellevue.
Convenience and accessibility for current and prospective Eastside clients is the prime motivator behind the expansion. Cancer Lifeline is also filling a void. Currently there is no Eastside organization that offers all the services Cancer Lifeline provides free of charge.
“The need is there. We already have Eastside clients commuting to our Seattle location, so we expect those to be the first to take advantage of the new site,” said Barbara Frederick, executive director of Cancer Lifeline. "We’ve also been hearing requests from patients and health care providers to bring our services to the Eastside for the last ten years.”
Cancer Lifeline-Eastside is a community focused endeavor with services tailored to Eastside needs. Programs at the new center will reflect successful core services offered at Cancer Lifeline’s North Seattle location, as well as classes that have been requested by Eastside clients and hospitals. Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and Overlake Hospital Medical Center are founding community partners of the expansion.
”We are proud to be Founding Partner's in Cancer Lifeline's eastside expansion. The lives of our patients will be enriched as they tap into valuable resources that will support them in their cancer experience,” states Rose Guerrero, Director of Cancer Services at Overlake Hospital.
Cancer Lifeline pioneered the development of a unique array of services designed to support and nurture the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of cancer patients, their families, caregivers, friends and co-workers. These services support and enhance offerings at cancer hospitals and doctors’ offices.
“We do not provide medical care. We leave this to the medical experts,” said Frederick. “We offer emotional support, education and community resources. We find most clients prefer this kind of care outside the hospital setting.”
"At Evergreen, we are dedicated to providing outstanding care for patients with cancer," said Michael Hunter, MD, medical director, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Cancer Program. "Achieving that goal begins with integrated programs in treatment, access to clinical trials, education programs, and cancer prevention. But to us, people are more than their symptoms. By partnering with Cancer Lifeline, we will further meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of patients in our community."
Eastside Coordinator Susan Olds will run the day-to-day activities of Cancer Lifeline-Eastside. Olds brings over twenty years of art education experience, most recently as education and exhibits director for the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. She was previously involved in Cancer Lifeline’s Healing Arts Program and is looking forward to sharing her multitude of talents full-time.
About Cancer Lifeline
In operation in Seattle since 1973, Cancer Lifeline, with programs and services at the Dorothy S. O’Brien Center in North Seattle, at its new location in Bellevue, Wash., and at Northwest Hospital, serves approximately 10,000 cancer patients, survivors, their families and friends annually. In addition to the statewide toll free 24-hour Lifeline, Cancer Lifeline programs include: Family Support, Healing Arts for Creative Expression, Health Promotion and Education, cancer specific support groups, Kids/Parents groups, Share the Care and Workplace Programs. All services, except Workplace Consultations, are free of charge. For more information, visit: www.cancerlifeline.org
About Evergreen Hospital
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center has 244 beds and is the cornerstone of Evergreen Healthcare, an organization that also includes Evergreen Medical Group primary care facilities, home health services, hospice services and community health outreach programs. Services include advanced diagnostics and surgical solutions in a variety of specialty areas including Women’s and Children’s Services, Cardiovascular Care, Orthopedics and Cancer Care. Evergreen features a Level III Intensive Care Nursery with single room care, the Orthopedic Center for Movement and Mobility offering a full range of services for chronic hip and knee pain, unparalleled Diagnostic Imaging with state-of-the-art CT, MRI, PET and digital technology, and a comprehensive Cancer Center with diagnostic, medical oncology, radiation treatment, surgery, support services and education. It is also the home of the Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center, the Pacific Northwest’s only dedicated full-service Parkinson’s treatment center in a single location.
Since opening our doors in 1972, Evergreen’s patient and family-centered philosophy, combined with a commitment to advancing medical solutions, has enabled us to provide people with unsurpassed care. Evergreen serves more than 400,000 residents throughout north King and south Snohomish counties. More than 700 physicians, representing over 50 specialties, provide clinical excellence in all major services. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org
About Overlake Hospital
Overlake Hospital Medical Center is a 337-bed, not-for-profit regional medical center offering a full range of advanced medical services to the Puget Sound Region. Overlake is the only Level III Trauma Center in eastern Puget Sound. The hospital is distinguished for its cardiac services and its award winning surgical services. Overlake has been ranked as a top 100 heart program in the country and is rated as a top performer in the state of Washington. Overlake is also rated as one of the most wired innovator hospitals and health systems in the nation. Major service areas include: cardiac surgery, cardiology, surgical services, cancer center, women’s and children’s services, childbirth center, Level III NICU, behavioral health, senior care, sleep disorders center and women’s clinic.
The Breast Center at Overlake Hospital is the fastest growing breast center in Puget Sound. It includes dedicated breast mammographers and dedicated breast surgeons. In addition, Overlake’s cancer program has a multidisciplinary breast conference that enables care providers to come together and discuss every new breast cancer diagnosis, coordinating the care and providing the best treatment options. Overlake is also now providing breast brachytherapy, and advanced treatment for breast cancer.
Overlake Hospital Medical Center employs more than 2,100 people and has more than 700 active and courtesy physicians on staff. For more information, visit the hospital's Web site at www.overlakehospital.org.
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