By BRAD KEITH
TheFlashToday.com NEWS & SPORTS – FREE & LOCAL
STEPHENVILLE (May 5, 2015) — So you just survived cancer. What’s next?
You still need treatment, both mental and physical. And you are left with a dozen questions for every answer.
As the population of Americans living as cancer survivors steadily increases, Moncrief Cancer Institute in Fort Worth is providing an innovative solution to residents of Erath and eight other counties in the form of a mobile cancer survivorship clinic.
“There is a new report from the (Center for Disease Control) that two-thirds of Americans diagnosed with invasive cancer are living five years or more following their diagnosis,” said Moncrief Institute director Dr. Keith Argenbright. “That means there is a demand for treatment for survivors. This helps us reach out to your community to help and support patients after their cancer diagnosis and treatments.”
The mobile clinic, a fully custom-built, state of the art, tractor trailer outfit, made its debut in Stephenville Tuesday, celebrating the Moncrief Cancer Institute presence here with tours, demonstrations and a Stephenville Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.
The spacious mobile clinic includes two exam rooms, an exercise area, meeting space and a full staff to help participating residents.
“Have you ever seen the TV show Ultimate RV? Well this is it right here,” quipped Erath County Commissioner Joe Brown during a brief speech to the crowd of chamber members and supporters as well as staff of both Moncrief Cancer Institute and Stephenville Surgical and Medical Clinic.
Tuesday’s event was held in front of the Women’s Health Center at SMSC, where the mobile cancer survivorship clinic will be open to local patients this Friday, May 8, and twice monthly beginning next month. It will be here on June 12 and June 26.
“It’s the day-by-day questions and struggles that make cancer so difficult,” said Dr. Janie McMillion of SMSC. “That’s why we are so fortunate to have Moncrief here.”
Stephenville Chamber of Commerce executive director July Danley echoed those sentiments.
“We are blessed that even though we are a small town we are also a regional hub, and we are fortunate to have such excellent medical care options here in Stephenville and in Erath County,” Danley said.
Argenbright said he looks forward to an ongoing partnership with Erath County, Stephenville and its businesses and residents.
“We’re honored to have you invite us into your community,” he said. “We look forward to working with you.”
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