Corporate
November 17, 2004
Warner Bros. Studios Pledges $500,000 To Help Build The First Integrated Cancer Center In The San Fernando Valley
(November 17, 2004 – Burbank, CA) — Warner Bros. Studios has pledged $500,000 to Providence Saint Joseph Foundation’s capital campaign, “Excellence, Compassion and Healing,” toward the construction of an integrated cancer center.
Providence Saint Joseph Foundation is the fundraising arm of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. Its Board of Trustees launched the $33.1 million capital campaign to build an integrated cancer center in April, 2004.
The gift from Warner Bros. Studios demonstrates the significant need for philanthropy to support major medical improvements and accomplishments in today’s economic climate. By contributing to the campaign with this gift, Warner Bros. Studios is helping build an integrated cancer center that will expand the life-saving cancer services Providence Health System provides to people in the San Fernando Valley and beyond. This gift also demonstrates Warner Bros. Studios’ continued support of the medical center that has served the Studio and its surrounding communities for more than 60 years.
The valley does not have a cancer center where patients can go for all of their treatment and physician visits in one central location. When the Providence Integrated Cancer Center is built, patients will be able to access their physicians, nutritional counselors, therapists and a research library all in one place. The center will bring together experts in the fields of both Eastern and Western medicine. It is a synergy that draws on the talent and experience of specialists in fields like medical, surgical and radiation oncology, hematology, pathology, gynecologic oncology, rehabilitation therapy, nutrition, social work and spiritual care.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. About one in four people in the U.S. will die from this disease. Providence Regional Cancer Services take detecting, treating and beating cancer seriously.
“From the perspective of a treating physician, surgeon and former cancer patient, I know this is what we need to fulfill the cancer healthcare needs of the people we serve,” said Raymond H.M. Schaerf, M.D., Chief of Staff at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.
“At Providence Saint Joseph we treat our patients with compassion, using the latest technology while never neglecting their personal needs,” said Raul Mena, M.D., Medical Director of the Providence Saint Joseph Cancer Center.
The decision to raise $33.1 million is the greatest fundraising initiative taken on by the Providence Saint Joseph Foundation Board of Trustees in the hospital’s 60-year history.
“This is wonderful news,” said Myron Berdischewsky, M.D, Chief Medical Officer of Providence Health System Southern California Region. “Thank you to Warner Bros. for their generosity and caring commitment to their community.”
“We have an incredibly dedicated group of community and business leaders who are leading this campaign,” said Patricia E. Modrzejewski, Executive Director, Foundations, Providence Health System San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys Service Area.
Providence Regional Cancer Services are already recognized for excellent clinical outcomes, with some of the best cancer survival statistics in the country. Its breast preservation rate is 88 percent, substantially higher than the national average of 57 percent. Its ovarian cancer survival rate is 15 percent above the national average. For colorectal and prostate cancers, the five-year survival rate is comparable or better at Providence Health System than the nationwide results reported by the National Cancer Data Base.
PROVIDENCE HEALTH SYSTEM CANCER SERVICES INCLUDE:
• Three radiation oncology centers - Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center (Burbank); Providence Holy Cross Medical Center (Mission Hills); the Valley Radiation Oncology Center (Tarzana)
• The Providence Saint Joseph Breast Health Center- Burbank)
• Personal Appearance Rehabilitation Center- Burbank)
• Dietary Counseling Services)
• Rehabilitation)
• Providence Home Care)
• Support, Education and Outreach)
• Clinical Research For more information on supporting cancer services or the Providence Saint Joseph Foundation’s Capital Campaign — "Excellence, Compassion and Healing" — call (818) 847 - HOPE (4673).# # #
• The Providence Saint Joseph Breast Health Center- Burbank)
• Personal Appearance Rehabilitation Center- Burbank)
• Dietary Counseling Services)
• Rehabilitation)
• Providence Home Care)
• Support, Education and Outreach)
• Clinical Research For more information on supporting cancer services or the Providence Saint Joseph Foundation’s Capital Campaign — "Excellence, Compassion and Healing" — call (818) 847 - HOPE (4673).