Life with Cancer Dedicates New Family Center to Cancer Patients and Survivors

Home-like Environment Will Assist with Coping and Comfort of Cancer Patients and Their Families

Falls Church, VA – (April 6, 2009) — Inova Health System’s Life with Cancer® program will officially open their new Dewberry Family Center April 7th at a dedication ceremony for generous patients and donors. It is the only health system affiliated resource center of its kind in Northern Virginia.

The Dewberry Life with Cancer Family Center is a 16,000-square-foot new construction home dedicated to education, outreach and support of cancer patients throughout the region regardless of where patients are treated.

“Inova’s Life with Cancer program is dedicated to working with patients battling cancer, their families and survivors. This new Family Center allows us to continue our work in a comforting, soothing and healing environment outside the confines of a hospital,” said Gordon Hay, Director, Life with Cancer. “We can continue our seamless care and education with nurses, social workers and physicians from hospital bedside to house.”

The Center offers a medical library focusing on cancer, eight private and group counseling rooms, children’s and adult art therapy studios, a large exercise room for classes specifically designed for cancer patients, and a reflection garden to assist with coping and comfort. The Center was funded by philanthropic donations from patients, their loved ones and community members.

“The opening of the Family Center demonstrates that non-profits like Inova’s Life with Cancer can achieve great things when we partner with our community,” Joanne Royaltey, Director, Development, Life with Cancer. “The support of our generous patients, their families and our community was tantamount in developing a dedicated resource that will continue to benefit people with cancer for many years to come.”

For nearly 20 years, Life with Cancer has offered support groups, exercise classes, nutrition programs, art therapy and outreach throughout Northern Virginia through philanthropy.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.