The Cancer Center at Valley Medical Center in Renton is officially open and serving patients.
After seven years, the center finally welcomed patients on Feb. 3, where they were able to utilize the center’s Phase 1A features, which includes the Infusion Center with 40% capacity, Infusion Pharmacy, Fast Track Rooms, Acute Symptom Management Clinic and the Trapper and Samantha Wellbeing Resource Center.
“This dream has been seven years in the making and it’s the culmination of work done by thousands of staff members and construction workers, donors, clinicians, volunteers, patients and community members,” said Chief Operating Officer Kalen Privatsky on Feb. 3. “This new comprehensive Cancer Center will expand access to services that our community needs right here in their backyard.”
Valley Medical Center serves more than 600,000 residents, including portions of Kent, Renton, Tukwila, Maple Valley and Covington.
With private funding secured and a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 22, 2018, the completion of Parking Garage C later that year (with the Bridge of Hope connecting the garage to the Cancer Center floor), the campaign pause in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the relaunch of the fundraising campaign in 2023, and the beginning of construction in December 2023, the Cancer Center has had a long journey.
At the Jan. 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony and preview tour of the new facilities, the official name of the infusion and immunotherapy center was revealed, having been named after Valley Girls & Guys founder Tina McDonough and her family.
“I’m overjoyed and deeply humbled by this recognition,” said McDonough at the ribbon cutting. “But my heart remains focused on what lies ahead. Together, we have more patients and families to support and more hope to share. This beautiful center is just the beginning of what we can achieve.”
Valley Girls & Guys was the first entity to donate money to the Cancer Center with a $1.8 million check. McDonough has been a major partner with the Cancer Center, having raised money for the center’s infusion chairs. At the December 2023 “skybreaking” ceremony, she talked about the people in her life who had lost their battles with cancer, including her mother.
“My mom would have been able to park in the parking garage, walked across the Bridge of Hope and come in to all the smiley faces that are going to take care of her each day and [have it all] be in one building,” she said in 2023.
Now that phase 1A has been completed, cancer patients throughout South King County will be able to seek treatment close to home. However, donations are still needed to complete the Cancer Center with Phase 1B and 2.
On the Cancer Center’s first day, it was revealed that a $6 million grant was received by the Norcliffe Foundation. This funding will help kickstart the next phase of the center.
“We just celebrated the opening of our new Cancer Center Infusion Center, and now, with this incredible support from The Norcliffe Foundation, we are able to move this dream forward. This grant represents hope for so many cancer patients in our community,” said Jeannine Erickson Grinnell, CEO and CFO of Valley Medical Center.
The next phases of the Cancer Center will include the following facilities in Phase 1B:
• Oncology and Hematology Clinic: Along with the Infusion Center, this clinic will be where each patient will meet with their medical oncologists and hematologists.
• Multidisciplinary Clinic: An important part of the Cancer Center, this clinic will allow newly-diagnosed patients to consult with their oncology specialists all on the same day, something that often requires long wait times and multiple visits.
• Laboratory: This on-site lab will provide data and shorter wait times for results.
• Cafe: A comfortable area for caregivers and patients, the cafe will offer food, beverages, views and space to rest.
Phase 2 will then include Radiation Therapy and Oncology Imaging on the first floor of the building. According to the hospital’s website, these next two phases will cost $45 million.
The Cancer Center is at 3915 Talbot Road S. in Renton. For easy access to the third floor, park in Parking Garage C and cross the Bridge of Hope.
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The Wave Room is a space within the Cancer Center that’s dedicated to caregivers who may need to take some time to care for themselves. The space includes chairs, tables, charging stations, a bathroom and yoga equipment. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The moment the ribbon was cut at the new Cancer Center. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Bridge of Hope is an easy way for patients and caregivers to access the Cancer Center from the parking garage. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
(Left to right) Infusion Center Manager Chermaine Wulff, Director of Philanthropy & Volunteer Services Carrie Murayama and Chief Communications & Philanthropy Officer Liz Nolan showcase the new Cancer Center’s Cancer Bell, which will be rung by cancer patients to mark the end of their treatment. The inscription on the bell says, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Smile – this is one of those moments!” Photo courtesy of Valley Medical Center.
