Washington Regional begins $4 million campaign for new cancer support home

Citing a need for expanded services and a more accessible facility, Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville is planning to build a new cancer support facility. Hospital officials say the 12,000-square-foot building with additional guest rooms will be a more effective way to meet the critical support needs of cancer patients.

The campaign goal for the construction is $4 million. To date, the Washington Regional Medical Foundation, the hospital’s fundraising arm, has raised more than $2.5 million from numerous supporters, including a $250,000 challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc. of Tulsa, Okla.

The John and Tamara Roberts Family is chairing the campaign. John Roberts is the president and CEO of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. in Lowell.

Groundbreaking is expected later this year with completion in 2020. The new home will be on a 4.4-acre site on East Longview Street. It will offer the same services as the current location, but with additional amenities including an elevator, 10 overnight guest rooms with private bathrooms and an expanded wig and prosthesis boutique with dressing rooms.

Overnight lodging will continue to be available year-round to patients and their families who travel to Northwest Arkansas for cancer treatment and cannot afford to stay in a hotel while receiving treatment. Other services provided include patient navigation, counseling, diagnostic services, support groups and education. Services are available at no cost to everyone, not exclusively Washington Regional patients.