Corewell Health™ Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center invites community members, patients and their families to celebrate the center’s 10-year anniversary on Tuesday, Nov. 7.  

The event, set to begin at 4 P.M. and continue until 6 P.M. at the Cancer Center, 4499 220th St., near Corewell Health Reed City Hospital, will include a brief ceremony with remarks from Andrea Leslie, president of Corewell Health’s Big Rapids, Reed City and Greenville hospitals. The evening will include refreshments, facility tours and an opportunity to write messages to patients. 

“We have been embraced by our community from the beginning,” said Samantha Triplett, operations manager for Corewell Health Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center. “The support of our donors and the dedication of our team have transformed cancer care in our area. This is a milestone we wish to honor and we invite everyone to attend.”     

In 10 short years, Corewell Health Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center has changed the accessibility of cancer care services for Michigan’s rural communities. The cancer center allows patients to go to one facility for most of their cancer care needs. Before its opening in 2013, patients from Mecosta, Osceola and surrounding counties had to travel at least 50 miles to receive care at the closest outpatient clinic, and comprehensive services were not always available at each location.  

“Some patients would have to travel to separate locations for radiation therapy and chemotherapy,” Triplett said. “The Corewell Health Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center provides patients with the option to receive exceptional outpatient cancer care close to home without the requirement of extensive travel.” 

Philanthropy has played a substantial role in ensuring that free integrative therapies and patient support programs remain available at the cancer center. Since 2013, 2,676 people have made donations to Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan in support of these free programs, which funded: 

• 1,440 reflexology appointments
• 2,215 acupuncture treatments
• 1,549 massage treatments 

The Corewell Health Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center is a comprehensive regional treatment facility bringing together the full range of services for patients and families on their cancer journey. The cancer center offers radiation therapy, chemotherapy, outpatient infusion therapy and a wellness center, which includes a library, boutique, gift shop and an integrative therapy room. For more information, call 231-832-5817.