Spring Gala Boosts Quality of Care at WVU Cancer Institute via Flexible Support
As a lifelong music lover and former member of the Mountaineer Marching Band, Aimee Underwood Thorn found comfort in music during her five-month battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. She even purposely scheduled her cancer treatments when music therapy was available at the WVU Cancer Institute.
That is why Aimee’s family partnered with WVU Cancer Institute leadership following her passing to bring a full-time music therapist to the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center. They achieved their fundraising goal with support from the Spring Gala, which has raised nearly $11 million since its inception in 1985 to advance cancer care, research, outreach, and education.
Important Work of Cancer Registrars in Spotlight This Week
Here’s to cancer registrars throughout the WVU Health System as we celebrate the 28th annual National Cancer Registrars Week (NCRW) April 8-12.
The purpose of NCRW is to emphasize the important role cancer registrars play in capturing the data that informs cancer research, prevention, and treatment programs. WVU Medicine employs around 25 cancer registrars. They are essential to the successful operation of the West Virginia Cancer Registry, which provides valuable data at the state and national level.
The theme for 2024 is A Diverse Workforce Serving a Diverse Population, a timely and vital theme for a multifaceted and growing profession.
Kathy Hanan, a registration specialist with the WVU Cancer Institute was recently awarded a BRAVO award for going above and beyond to help a patient get the care she needed to treat her aggressive lung cancer. The patient credits Kathy with saving her life. She was nominated by Cindy Efaw.
Don Hoylman and his wife, Marcella, first began giving to the West Virginia University Cancer Institute in the 1980s. Their giving escalated after Hoylman became a patient himself and culminated with a transformational leadership donation made through his trust in 2018. Following his passing three years later at the age of 91, the Hoylman family’s generosity continues to spur innovations at the WVU Cancer Institute.
Pictured Above: WVU First Lady Laurie Erickson, WVU Cancer Institute Director Dr. Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, Donna Hoylman Peduto, Rod Hoylman, and WVU President Gordon Gee celebrate the dedication of the Don Hoylman Family Atrium. (WVU Photo)
Mother's Day Flower and Fern Sale
The WVU Cancer Institute Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center will hold its 8th annual Mother's Day flower and fern sale on Friday, May 10, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Cancer Center.
Hanging baskets are $25, and ferns are $30. Only cash will be accepted.
Hanging basket varieties include petunias, New Guinea impatiens, fuchsias, million bells, and geraniums.
To place a pre-order, call Mary Anne at 304-598-4549. The deadline for pre-orders is Friday, May 3; cash payment is due at the time of the order. Pre-orders must be picked up during the sale on May 10.
Sale proceeds will benefit the Mary Babb Randolph Comfort Fund, which provides temporary, short-term financial assistance for patients being treated at the Cancer Center until they can be linked with appropriate community, state, or national resources for assistance.
The group toured the WVU Cancer Institute’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS on March 27, 2024. LUCAS travels the state, bringing lung cancer screening to people in rural areas.
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