Crescent River Pilots Makes $10,000 Donation to Cancer Center | When chemotherapy completed, patients will be invited to ring ship’s bell

Today the new West Jefferson Medical Center Cancer Center opened at 4511 Westbank Expressway to care for patients. It was a special day for patients, their loved ones, doctors, nurses and staff. One local group was on hand to make the day even more special with the presentation of a $10,000 donation to the Infusion Center of the new Cancer Center.

The Crescent River Pilot’s Foundation today announced its $10,000 donation for the new Infusion Center of the Cancer Center. The Crescent River Pilot’s Foundation grant will help to make two wishes of the new Center come true, the purchase of a ship’s bell and support for the Center’s nourishment stations. Upon completion of chemotherapy, patients will be invited to ring a ship’s bell slated for the new Center by the group. Sally Short Blondiau, the Crescent River Pilot’s Foundation president, Captain James Cramond, River Pilots Association President, and Captain Douglas Grubbs made the presentation to Hospital Foundation President Garey Alimia joined by West Jefferson Medical Center executives CEO Nancy R. Cassagne and CAO Angela Greener. Mr. Cramond is also a member of the hospital Board of Directors.

The ceremonial Infusing Hope Bell will be placed in the foyer of the new 8,000 square foot facility and stand as a lasting symbol of the River Pilots’ generosity. The $10,000 contribution will make the bell ringing ceremony a tradition that can continue for many years to come and help us provide an environment with greater hospitality and service. The support of the Crescent River Pilot’s Foundation will help provide a compassionate send off for each patient ringing the bell.

Officers of the Crescent City River Pilot’s Foundation toured the new Infusion Center following the presentation of the donation. Features of the new Infusion Center include a ground level, one story facility with nearby parking close to the front entrance. The new Infusion Center offers patients and loved ones a home-like and comforting atmosphere, reclining chairs, blanket warmers, unique patient pods with television and Wi-Fi and nourishment stations designed to mirror one’s home kitchen cupboard. The new location includes new offices for West Jefferson Hematologists and Oncologists further enhancing the West Jefferson Cancer Center just next door to the Infusion Center.

Accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, the Cancer Center brings national protocols to patients’ right here at home eliminating needs to travel to distant cities, other states or out of the area. A research nurse is a member of the Cancer Care team. Offices for the nurse practitioner, social worker, financial counselor and spiritual care chaplain are also located in the new Cancer Center bringing the oncology team directly to the patient.