Daily Press Writer
MONTROSE — The big toe has burst and the San Juan Cancer Center has reached its goal of $1 million one year after it opened.
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On Tuesday, Smiles, along with members of the foundation's board, gathered in front of the cancer center to be presented with one of the two checks that brought the center over its $1 million mark.
"We lost mom (to cancer) a year ago and the community has been so good to us that we wanted to give back," said Greg Crippin of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory.
The Crippin family donated $20,000 to the cancer center and with the $40,000 donated from the Black Canyon Classic Car Club, the foundation has exceeded its goal, raising $1,028,833.18.
The cancer center project started in early 2005 when area physicians saw an overwhelming need for Montrose to be able to provide cancer treatment to their residents. Many residents were having to travel to Grand Junction up to five days per week for treatment that took only 15 minutes, Smiles said.
"Mom took 36 trips to Grand Junction," Kelly Crippin said. "Her final trip was here and to be able to come here — we live just down the street — is a blessing."
In the beginning, a partnership started between Montrose Memorial Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction and Western Colorado Radiation Oncology — an independent group of physicians that specializes in treating cancer. The foundation said it would raise $1 million to help pay for the $7 million project and necessary equipment.
"We took on (the center) as a fund-raising project to help Montrose Memorial with the initial investment and get it off the ground," Board President Wally Belden said.
Smiles said the fund-raising kicked off Oct. 22, 2005, and the center got its first amounts "like that."
"Over 600 people stepped up one way or another," she said, mentioning girls who set up a lemonade stand, the Montrose High School Future Business Leaders of America collecting old cell phones and the car club selling bracelets.
The fundraising project is the largest project (in dollars raised) so far in Montrose.
The center opened April 3, 2006 and offers treatment literally on two levels — radiation therapy on the first floor and medical oncology on the second floor.
The center is finishing up construction of a dosimetry area, which will evaluate patients and provide a treatment plan. This service is currently only available in Grand Junction, but it should be up and running by the first of May, MMH Chief Operating Officer and board member Mary Snyder said.
People come to the center from surrounding areas such as Gunnison, Delta, Ouray and San Miguel counties to receive treatment.
"It's not only good because we are closer to them, but it's also good for the community," Smiles said, referring to the amount of shopping visitors take in when they come to Montrose.
"The community is blessed to have the center, but the center is also blessed to have this community," said Kelly Crippin.
Smiles said the community is invited to celebrate its one-year anniversary and achievement of its million-dollar goal on April 21 at the Elks Lodge in Montrose. "The Last Round Up" will feature a Cowboy Poetry Quartet, so dress in your cowboy gear, she said. The event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. and will have food and a cash bar with all proceeds going to the cancer center.
— Daily Press writer Katharhynn Heidelberg contributed to this story.
Contact Kati O'Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com
Kaitlyn Heichel wrote on Nov 3, 2009 2:01 PM:
Sarah Bond wrote on Jul 13, 2009 5:31 PM: