Heart of Gold aims for radiation at OSF
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ESCANABA -- The annual “Heart of Gold” fundraising dinner for OSF Healthcare Foundation was held last week to collect proceeds for raise critical support for enhanced radiation therapy services at the Escanaba hospital.
At present, OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group is partnered with Green Bay Oncology to be able to provide cancer patients in the Upper Peninsula with certain treatments. The agreement has been in operation for over three decades.
What remains lacking, however, is radiation therapy.
“Instead, many patients travel to Marquette, Iron Mountain or northern Wisconsin for treatment. Because radiation therapy is often delivered five days a week for several weeks, that can mean spending two to four or more hours on the road every day while undergoing cancer treatment,” states OSF Healthcare on a webpage explaining the need for radiology expansion.
“For some patients, especially during Upper Peninsula winters, the travel becomes an overwhelming burden. Some even decline potentially life-saving radiation therapy because of the distance.”
In past years, OSF HealthCare’s “Heart of Gold” benefits have gone towards “the purchase of new medical equipment, renovations, and the opening of the Daniel J. Kobasic Cancer Clinic in 2024,” according to a recent press release.
The next step towards making radiation treatments for cancer patients available in Delta County is pursued through the local capital campaign for OSF HealthCare Foundation, which is working towards a plan for a dedicated radiation oncology center connected to OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.
“The new addition includes plans for a linear accelerator to deliver advanced radiation therapy; a CT simulator for more precise treatment planning; a separate, dedicated entrance; patient exam rooms; private changing rooms; comfortable and modern waiting areas; and dedicated clinical and care team spaces.
“Designed with patients and families in mind, the new center will help us provide compassionate, high-quality care in a healing environment that keeps loved ones close throughout treatment,” the foundation states.
The 2026 Heart of Gold dinner was comprised of a seven-course dinner prepared and presented by volunteer chefs, all of whom belong to the Upper Michigan Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, on Oct. 22 at the Island Resort and Casino Convention Center in Harris. Employees of OSF HealthCare and Peninsula Federal Credit Union, in addition to other community members, donated their time to staff the event.
"The dinner is a culinary experience unlike any other in our community," said Director of Philanthropy Jean Arvan at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group. "To date, the proceeds from this event (over 27 years) total over $500,000 and have been directed in different ways to provide for the health and wellness of our patients. We are very grateful for those who were able to share this evening with us and for those who sponsored and volunteered at this event."
People may find out more about the Radiation Therapy Capital Campaign by contacting the OSF HealthCare Foundation office at 786-5707, ext. 75516 or visiting www.osfhealthcare.org/foundation/give/sfh/radiation-oncology-expansion.