Current Campaign Goal: $3.5 Million
Cancer is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United Sates. In the rural region served by Bassett Healthcare Network, an older population, lower socioeconomic status, and a significant percentage of individuals and families who are underinsured or uninsured contribute to a higher-than-average incidence of cancer.
The number of patients seeking cancer care at Bassett facilities continues to climb. In 2019 there were 23,445 visits to Bassett’s Cooperstown, Oneonta, Herkimer, and Cobleskill cancer centers combined. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, that number rose to 23,919 visits. The second year of the pandemic, cancer visits climbed again to an all-time high of 25,898. By the end of 2022 the number of cancer visits across the network surpassed the previous year, climbing to 26,963. Cancer patients travel to Bassett’s cancer center from zip codes within and outside of the network’s eight-county service region. Due to the rising number of cancer patients, more access is needed.
An expansion of the Bassett Cancer Institute at Fox Care Center will increase access for cancer patients both in Oneonta and at the Bassett Medical Center location, and will provide a more comfortable, soothing cancer care environment for patients. In addition, the purchase of a new Mobile Cancer Coach will reach a significant number of patients who live in rural areas, reflecting one of Bassett's goals to serve economically disadvantaged and underprivileged populations in rural settings. The coach provides diagnostic and preventative screening services that make early detection possible to better improve patient outcomes. Our previous coach served an area more than 5,600 square miles and reached over a thousand individuals each year. This coach had to be taken off the road in 2023 due to engine failure. It is vital that the coach be replaced to fulfill the needs of our patients. The total cancer initiative includes:
- The expansion of one of Bassett's most-utilized cancer center in Oneonta
- The construction of additional clinic exam rooms and infusion treatment bays
- The addition of physician offices
- Additional nursing stations
- Cancer pharmacy modernization
- Purchase and retrofit of an RV-type medical coach equipped with digital screening equipment and clinical exam space
Every patient deserves optimal cancer care, but the rising cancer burden in Bassett's service region has stretched current resources to the limit. Support for our current initiative will help us keep up with increasing patient volumes and to accommodate the latest advances in cancer treatment and technology. To make a difference or find out more, contact the Friends of Bassett at friends.office@bassett.org or call (607) 547-3928, Thank you!
