In 2007, the American Cancer Society estimates 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer – and an estimated 1,547 will die each day. More than 36,000 Georgians will be diagnosed with cancer this year and, of those, an estimated 14,790 will die. More startling still, about half of all Georgia males and one in three females will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes.

The Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence (GCCE) at Grady Health System was established by the Georgia Cancer Coalition as part of their initiative to build a statewide network of people and organizations dedicated to providing extraordinary cancer treatment for all Georgians. Funded in part by the tobacco settlement, the $28 million state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to providing highly attentive care and customer service to cancer patients and their families. The facility also houses the $3.3 million Avon Foundation Breast Health Center.

Doctors from Emory University and Morehouse schools of medicine staff the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence. Physicians work side by side with nurses, social workers, pharmacists, chaplains and other support team members to provide comprehensive cancer care. Patients are treated in a warm and welcoming environment that promotes healing and peace of mind. Privacy, respect, dignity and equal access are ensured. Each stage of the cancer center’s planning and development involved the expert advice and direction of cancer patients, scientists, physicians and caregivers. Designated as a National Center for Health Disparities Research by the National Institutes of Health, the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady continues to focus on the goal of reducing disparities and providing excellence in cancer prevention, research and treatment.

Gifts to the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence make an immediate difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families and support the center’s quest to find a cure for this disease through research and clinical trials.

Donations can be given to the center or designated to a specific project. Some of these projects include:

• Self-Image Center
• Patient Education
• Palliative Care
• Caring Hearts
• Support Services
• Cancer Research & Clinical Trials

If you are interested in the supporting the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence or have questions regarding the center, please contact Jennifer Potter at (404) 489-9033 or via e-mail at jpotter@gmh.edu