JRMC oncology program; Plans continue to raise funds to start program later this year

The Jamestown Regional Medical Center Foundation is moving forward toward its goal of opening an oncology program.
The first gift toward that oncology program was a $150,000 donation from North Dakota Farmers Union on May 12.
“It is still in the beginning stages,” said Lisa Jackson, JRMC Foundation director. “The $150,000 from (North Dakota) Farmers Union kicked off the campaign.”
Jackson said the foundation is looking to raise $175,000 to $250,000 this summer. She said donations from JRMC staff have amounted to about $25,000 and the foundation’s July 17 Golf Fore Good tournament is part of the efforts to raise those funds, she said.
Jackson said the golf tournament typically raises about $25,000 each year. She hoped that this year, with the event’s focus on cancer, that amount can be exceeded.
Currently, most cancer patients must travel to Bismarck or Fargo for chemotherapy infusions.
Trisha Jungels, chief nursing officer for JRMC, said only limited types of chemotherapy can be administered at the Emergency Department at JRMC now. The new program will expand the types of chemotherapy infusions that can be performed at JRMC.
Jungels estimated about 109 patients from Jamestown receive chemotherapy. Of those, only seven or eight have the type that can be administered at the JRMC Emergency Department.
“Typically, we send cancer patients down the road,” she said. “The greatest benefit is the time these people can spend close to home and with their families.”
The clinical staff at JRMC is developing an oncology operational plan including staffing, training and equipment requirements, Jungels said.
Jackson said the foundation will contact people and businesses in an effort to raise the remaining funds necessary to finance the project.
The JRMC and its foundation have set goals for raising the money and opening the oncology center this year.
“Realistically,” Jackson said. “We are trying to have patients seen by the time the snow flies.”
Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com