In just six years, Treads & Threads has raised more than $2.5 million for cancer care at The University of Kansas Hospital. Over the years, Treads & Threads funds have purchased advanced technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment, provided ongoing educational support for patients and families, and helped create two palliative care suites and a Patient and Family Resource Center in the hospital’s newly renovated inpatient cancer care areas. With the support of community members and Companies Committed to Care, this year’s event promises to be another great evening for a great cause.

Proceeds from this year’s Treads & Threads will benefit The University of Kansas Hospital’s Radiation Oncology program. We will improve technology, provide additional staff and make facility improvements so we can take even better care of our patients.

Cancer Care at The University of Kansas Hospital

Patients come to The University of Kansas Hospital confident they will receive the region’s most comprehensive and compassionate cancer care. From diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, our multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and specialized staff helps cancer patients and families through every step of the journey.

Dealing with cancer significantly affects a person’s life, so we’ve designed our cancer services to foster comfort, convenience and personalized care. Our patients benefit from the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to fight cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. In addition, our staff provide comfort, education and a range of support services to patients and families.

The University of Kansas Hospital has the only clinical cancer program thoroughly integrated within the University of Kansas Cancer Center - the organization leading the effort for National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in Kansas City. NCI designation will bring the latest leading edge clinical trials to Kansas City, trial only open to NCI designated facilities. It will also make the area eligible for new cancer research funds, which not only advance the fight against cancer but could also lead to new high tech economic development in the area.

Our Cancer Program is Among the Nation’s Best

In addition to our three-year accreditation with commendation, we earned the Outstanding Achievement Award for exceptional quality from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Because of the trust patients place in us, our outpatient cancer program has experienced dramatic growth in the last five years with outpatient volume increasing 243 percent.

To meet the growing needs of patients, we opened an expanded outpatient cancer care facility at the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Belinder Road in Westwood, Kansas. Our Cancer Center and Medical Pavilion provides state-of-the-art comprehensive care in a soothing, healing environment with patient care areas designed for privacy and comfort. Patients are able to see their physicians, visit the lab, and receive tests or treatments in one convenient location.

Knowledge is important medicine, and patients who understand their diseases cope better and heal faster. At the Brandmeyer Patient Resource Center our patients, families and visitors can learn about specific diseases, treatments, clinical trials and other issues. The center is staffed by an experienced oncology nurse.

An important part of the cancer care we provide is at the bedside. In the hospital’s inpatient care areas, our specially trained staff support patients through diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic interventions.

The hospital’s expanded Inpatient Cancer Care area has expanded 55 beds for cancer patients to rest and heal. Patients include those receiving treatment for a new diagnosis, those awaiting a blood or marrow transplant to those facing the end of life. Our compassionate and caring staff has created a safe and supportive environment to help these patients and their families cope with the many aspects of cancer.

The inpatient area expansion also added a new Patient and Family Resource Center, as well as a third palliative care suite with proceeds from the 2007 Treads & Threads event. In the private and home-like setting of this suite, staff respectfully serves the special physical, emotional and spiritual-care needs of patients and families coping with terminal or advanced-stage illnesses.

To learn more about cancer care at The University of Kansas Hospital, visit kumed.com.