HealthAlliance is proud to announce that it has taken the first visible steps towards the construction of the Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Care Center’s new building on the Burbank Campus in Fitchburg.

Crews raised chain-link fencing to mark the construction site of the highly anticipated Cancer Center and placed Dig Safe marks all over access roads leading from Mechanic Street into the hospital’s main parking lot yesterday.

"People can now see exactly where it is going," said Thomas E. Maltais, HealthAlliance Communications Specialist. "The projects’ anticipated completion date is December 2001."

Crews will begin to dig up and relocate utility lines in the next 10 to 14 days. Signs will be posted, rerouting traffic around the back of the Burbank Campus to the building’s Main Entrance.

HealthAlliance established the Cancer Center within HealthAlliance Hospital Burbank Campus following a generous donation from Margaret S. Sinon and the merging of its two Oncology departments in the Fall of 1999.

The $10 million dollar home for the Center is a joint venture between HealthAlliance and UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. Additional funding for the project is facilitated through a combination of federal grants; the generous support of Margaret S. Sinon; the HealthAlliance Guild and a large number of donations from the community at large.

"In addition to the facility itself, relations with academic centers at UMass will be strengthened and care at the cutting edge of the field will be available locally," said A. Samer Al-Homsi, M.D., Medical Director of Oncology/Hematology at HealthAlliance.

Through these connections, clinical trials exploring new avenues in cancer treatment will be available locally. In addition, the Cancer Center will include a radiation therapy department managed by the UMass Memorial Health Care Radiation Oncology staff under the direction of Thomas J. Fitzgerald, M.D.

The center will include a radiation oncology component with a new linear accelerator and will be staffed by oncologists and radiation oncologists from UMass Memorial as well as HealthAlliance.

Sheila Donnelly, M.D., who has been a member of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for many years, will continue to provide care to patients in the community.

In addition to the kick-off of the construction project, HealthAlliance is proud to announce that it, in collaboration with the American Cancer Society (ACS), has located at the Center the first ACS Resource Room in North Central Massachusetts.

This Resource Room will be available to help patients and their families navigate the health care system. A database that is updated every 24 hours by the ACS regarding every type of cancer and its treatments is available as well as information on wigs, prosthetics and a range of support services.

"We found it’s a very successful way of achieving a better quality of life for cancer patients, beginning with their diagnosis," said Karen-Lee Murray, ACS Regional Executive for Patient Support.

HealthAlliance provided the room while ACS supplied computers, televisions, educational materials, and a volunteer. Patients and their families may now utilize a variety of services by either visiting the room located in the Cancer Center, or by calling 978-343-5670.

In addition to the development of the Resource Room, the Center has seen the creation of a full-time social worker position filled by Melissa A. Pelletier. She will help staff the room when Murray is not available as well as working with and organizing various support groups and programs.

The first program will be "Look Good – Feel Better," at 6 p.m., each Wednesday. Pre-registration is required. People may register by calling Murray at (508) 721-9977, ext. 223. The program shows women how to cope with problems resulting from cancer treatment such as hair loss.

A support group for people with all types of cancer and their families meets at Burbank the first and third Tuesday of each month. For more information, call 343-5442.

Volunteers are needed for the Resource Room to assist cancer patients and their families. Volunteers will by provide information on cancer, direction to available resources, and information about ACS programs. Training will be provided. Volunteers may choose the days and times most convenient between Monday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can call Murray at 508-721-9977, ext. 23 or 1-800-ACS-2345.

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