A local healthcare system is working to bring specialized cancer care and expanded research through the state.
The head of oncology at Piedmont Healthcare told Channel 2’s Wendy Corona that the support they receive through Piedmont Oncology Luminaria gala helps them get closer to their goals for everyone’s benefit.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“We’ve gone from clinical research being available at two of our hospitals to now nine, and none of that is possible without support and awareness,” said Dr. Wally Curran, chief Of Piedmont Healthcare Oncology.
He is busy expanding cancer care across the state using support raised specifically for Piedmont Oncology.
“Over the past year, we’ve used funds from this program to hire six new research staff,” Curran said.
That’s on top of hiring more than 50 new oncology related physicians over the past two years. The mission is targeted, “having the state realize how important it is to have exceptional cancer care, really for people across the state and as close to home as possible,” Curran said.
TRENDING STORIES:
- WATCH: 200-foot office tower imploded in seconds in metro Atlanta
- Bus carrying high school football players hits car, overturns in Rockdale County
- Georgia youth coach, father of 3, killed in shooting
It’s an important goal for a healthcare system whose doctors care for more than 14,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.
The system places real focus on fundraising at its annual gala, Luminaria. Money raised positions Piedmont with better capability to work toward figuring out more creative and better ways to detect cancer early and also “to care for patients so that the side effects and the cost of care is not as burdensome as it is now,” Curran said.
Piedmont Oncology’s gala raises funds and awareness of the goals for the healthcare system across the state.
It’s happening this weekend and is sold out. You can still help support it by visiting the Luminaria website.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]