The Mercy Health – Springfield Cancer Center is celebrating 20 years of delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to help patients facing a cancer diagnosis, and they’re inviting the local community to join in.
"Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Cancer Center has been a pillar of support for our community for 20 years, and one of our core missions has been providing resources and support to individuals facing cancer," said Pilar Mock, Director of Oncology at Mercy Health – Springfield. "This ice cream social is a celebration not only of our two decades of service, but also of the incredible strength and resilience of our local cancer survivors. We are honored to come together and share a moment of joy and hope as we recognize their courage and celebrate life."
An Ice Cream Social will take place at the Cancer Center, located at 148 West North Street in Springfield, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 10th. The event is free and open to anyone who would like to attend – especially those who have been touched by cancer. The goal is to raise awareness and honor those who have been lost to cancer while also celebrating survivorship and supporting those still on their journey to recovery.
“Cancer can be a devastating disease, which means getting the care you need is only half the battle. It’s so important to be able to stay close to your loved ones and your support network, and that’s one thing we’ve been able to accomplish – providing that expertise here, close to home, so our patients don’t have to choose,” said Adam Groshans, president, Mercy Health – Springfield.
Clark and Champaign Counties’ cancer and cancer-related mortality rates are higher than the state average for Ohio. Mercy Health is committed to reducing those statistics in our region and developing strategies to promote screenings and expand access to services.
For instance, in 2021 the health system aligned with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). The affiliation gives Mercy Health physicians and patients access to the expertise and specialists at the OSUCCC – James, which has more than 200 oncologists, each of whom specializes in just one type of cancer. This expertise leads to more productive integration with cancer research and, ultimately, to better outcomes.
Building on the oncology services offered across the region to help better meet the needs of local cancer patients continues to be a priority for Mercy Health in 2024. Work is already underway at Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital to add oncology services by converting the former Mercy McCauley Center into a new infusion center. Not only will oncologists from the Mercy Health – Springfield Cancer Center provide care for patients in Urbana, but those patients will also have access to the same experts and opportunities for clinical trials that are available in Springfield through Mercy Health’s affiliation with the OSUCCC – James.
Mercy Health has also opened its new Karen Teusink Integrated Breast Center, located inside the Springfield Cancer Center. It’s designed to provide custom, coordinate care consultation to patients by allowing them to have one appointment with their entire care team rather than splitting that care into multiple visits on different days for individual appointments. In addition, state-of-the art technology will be in place should a member of the team need to join the group remotely.
Additionally, Mercy Health is working to add a new linear accelerator at the Mercy Health – Springfield Cancer Center this year. This equipment, which uses X-rays to treat tumors throughout the body, will expand the radiation therapy options available to patients locally.
Through Mercy Health’s mission of bringing good help to those in need, the health system also provides financial navigators to help patients find ways to limit the financial burden cancer can create. The American Medical Association reports cancer patients pay $16 billion out-of-pocket annually for cancer treatment. Using copay cards, grant money, and other cost-saving measures, these team members helped save local cancer patients nearly $2 million in 2023.
Whether you already have been diagnosed with cancer or are looking to understand your cancer risk better, Mercy Health offers an experienced team of oncology specialists who provide high-quality cancer care.