Curry Health Network Working to Bring Chemotherapy to Curry County

[GOLD BEACH, OREGON] May 10, 2023 - Curry Health Network (CHN) is thrilled to announce that it is working to bring chemotherapy services to Curry County. The CHN Board of Directors and administration have been working with a consultant for the past 10 months to develop a master facilities plan, and at the board meeting on May 4, the board directed CEO Virginia (Ginny) Williams to move forward with a Request for Proposals for design services for a new building to abut the south side of Curry General Hospital that will house the new service and will connect directly to hospital corridors, ensuring convenient access and comprehensive care for cancer patients in Curry County.

CEO Williams shared, "We are thrilled to embark on this crucial initiative to bring chemotherapy services to Curry County. Our goal is to ensure that cancer patients in our community have access to comprehensive care close to home."

To support this important endeavor, CHN has applied for grant funding totaling $4.5 million. This includes $2 million from the State of Oregon and an additional $2.5 million from the federal government. CEO Ginny Williams, CFO Rick Sicora, board member Derral Hawthorne, and Dietary Manager Shelby Mickelson recently traveled to Washington D.C. to present the federal funding request to U.S. Representative and Congresswoman for the 4th District of Oregon Val Hoyle and others. Shelby's personal story, sharing the challenges she faced when her late husband was diagnosed with cancer, made a profound impact during the discussions.

CEO Williams further emphasized, "By establishing this new facility, we are addressing the pressing need for local chemotherapy services, improving the well-being and outcomes for our residents. We remain committed to serving our patients and reducing the cancer mortality rate in Curry County."

The presentation was further strengthened by over 30 letters of support from local politicians including Senator David Brock Smith and Representative Court Boice, the Board of Curry County Commissioners, City governments, organizations, service clubs, and local businesses. Many of these were heartfelt letters that showcased personal experiences and emphasized the critical need for local chemotherapy services, underscoring the significant impact on individuals, families, customers, and employees within the community.

The county's cancer mortality rate surpasses both the state and national averages by 11.8% and 12.3%, respectively. Residents with cancer are forced to endure long and arduous journeys, often traveling up to 7 hours round trip to neighboring counties, and sometimes even across state lines, for chemotherapy treatment. Compounding the issue is the county's geographic isolation, with a single coastal route, U.S. Highway 101, connecting it to the north and south. Recent highway closures due to landslides, a recurring occurrence, have cut off vital health resources for residents, leaving them with limited options that may cause them to forego treatment altogether. Transportation remains a significant barrier to healthcare access, as revealed in the 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment, where 38.3% of respondents identified it as a challenge. For cancer patients, the burden of travel becomes particularly overwhelming due to the frequency of chemotherapy visits that often requires overnight stay due to distances traveled and associated side effects of the treatment which can include extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

The chemotherapy project aims to serve a population that is underserved, older, and disabled, thereby addressing the pressing need for cancer services in the county. Over 52% of Curry County's population is 55 years or older, with 34% aged 65 and above. The 65-74 age group alone is projected to grow by 15.1% in the next five years, highlighting the urgent demand for accessible cancer care.

CHN remains steadfast in its commitment to provide essential chemotherapy services to deserving patients within their local community. If all goes according to plan, groundbreaking for the new facility is expected to commence in early 2025.