Efforts to bring a comprehensive Cancer Center to Trinity Regional Medical Center have far exceeded fundraising goals, capital campaign co-chairs announced Wednesday evening.
Dr. Ken Adams, campaign co-chairman, announced during the annual Friends of Trinity Appreciation Event that the initial goal of $5 million was exceeded by more than $100,000, bringing in a total of $5,113,145.
"We went over the top with our goal,"said Adams. "This is something we have needed for decades in Fort Dodge. This will allow for people to be treated right here in Fort Dodge and be treated in a place they are familiar and comfortable with."
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Fundraising efforts began during the summer of 2010 when TRMC was given approval to build the Cancer Center.
"That got the clock ticking to build a Cancer Center," said Phil Gunderson, another campaign co-chair.
The $8 million Cancer Center fundraising was propelled by the $5 million "Every Option, Every Hope" Capital Campaign. Gifts such as the $468,042 raised by TRMC and Trimark Physicians Group employees, and an anonymous $1.5 million matching donation helped achieve the goal.
"Our board, auxiliary match, employee campaign and physicians campaign gave us a great jumping off point, and brought the community on board," said Gunderson. "We are grateful and thankful to our auxiliary and anonymous donors and to all of the people who got us to where we are now."
During the event, representatives of the TRMC Auxiliary presented the campaign steering committee with a check for $600,000 to be used on the Cancer Center project.
Harvey Schoon, Auxiliary treasurer, said it was the generosity of the community that allowed them to give such a significant donation.
"We have a very ambitious auxiliary board," said Schoon. "We can only do this because of the wonderful support the community gives the auxiliary."
Construction on the Cancer Center is nearing completion, and the first patients are expected to be treated there in early September.