HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust looks to expand critical cancer care through $10 million in grants to two Oahu hospitals.
On Thursday, April 3, Governor Josh Green M.D. welcomed the grants for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children and The Queen’s Medical Center — West Oahu Cancer Center.
“We cannot overstate the magnitude of such gracious support from the philanthropic community for healthcare, especially in specialty fields and for rural or remote communities,” said Gov. Green. “It’s about making sure our patients in Hawaii have access to care in all of our communities but stay close to home when it’s at all possible.”
One $5 million grant will be used to help Kapiolani Medical Center build the Martha B. Smith Cancer & Infusion Center, which will provide life-saving and specialized treatments for women and children diagnosed with cancer.
The new space will be five times the size of the current space and will double the number of infusion bays and expand the research space for clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies.
“This gift is an investment in our patients who depend on Kapiolani for life-saving care. About 200 children every year are diagnosed with cancer and we also service about 9– women with breast cancer every year. This is why we are ushering a new chapter,” said Gidget Ruscetta, Kapiolani Medical Center COO.
The other $5 million will fund an expansion of the cancer center at Queen’s West, adding three infusion bays and six exam rooms.
Officials added the funds would also be used to modernize the medical oncology clinic and reduce wait times.
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The Helmsleys have invested $88 million in cancer care since 2009, with a goal to reduce disparities between rural and urban Americans in their access to health care.