PALM COAST, Fla. – “Once you choose hope, anything is possible” read the words on the screen of the Hope Wall inside the foyer of the Freytag Cancer Center.

Truer words have never been spoken.

Decades in the making, the dream of tenacious community members like Tony Papandrea, Chairman of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation, and oncologist Dr. Padmaja Sai came true on January 16 as they helped cut the ribbon on the Freytag Cancer Center.

Working tirelessly alongside AdventHealth administrative leadership and the Foundation’s dedicated donors, including Peter and Sue Freytag for whom the stand-alone cancer center is named, the $30 million investment in the community will have generational impact according to Papandrea.

“To all our donors, this is a big deal for our Foundation,” he said.

“Your investment in this center is an investment in the lives of countless people, and individuals and families. This cancer center is for your children, your grandchildren. Your philanthropy will be generational.”

World Class Health Care, At Home

AdventHealth Palm Coast President & CEO Denyse Bales-Chubb and Dr. Audrey Gregory, President & CEO of AdventHealth’s East Florida Division welcomed dignitaries, elected officials and donors as they stepped through the doors after the official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremonies.

“We have watched it take shape. It is a 30,000 square foot, 2-story facility designed with one purpose in mind, and that is to meet the needs of every patient who walks through these doors,” said Gregory.

“Flagler County, believe it or not, is one of the fastest growing areas in Florida, and with growth, at AdventHealth we believe, comes the responsibility to expand access to cancer care. Cancer touches nearly every family, in some way. We want to continue to keep our patients who need cancer treatment close to home. Patients should be close to where the support system exists. So, in this center, we’ll provide advanced cancer treatment, combining cutting edge technology with compassionate, personalized care,” she said.

Located on the AdventHealth Palm Coast main campus on State Road 100, the Freytag Cancer Center is equipped with the latest technology in cancer treatment, featuring the TrueBeam and Halcyon radiotherapy treatment options.

“I think the combination of people and the treatment technology is what makes Freytag Cancer Center really unique. It is a huge asset to our community,” added AdventHealth Palm Coast radiation oncologist Dr. Irfan Ahmed. “

Recruiting world class physicians, Dr. Padmaja Sai, a driving force behind the cancer center’s creation, shared the achievements of the team at the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute over the past decade.

“One word that comes to my mind is gratitude. This facility marks a new chapter in the fight against cancer,” said Sai.

“How do we do it? We’re going to have a collaborative approach between radiation, medical oncology, surgical oncology, providing personalized treatments, groundbreaking research, and most importantly, working with a team that never stops asking, what more can we do to help the patients?”

All In

The community has gone all in on the battle against cancer from technology to physicians, and even care during treatment, with the beautiful Judith C. Macko Cancer Resource Center.

Once a room tucked away filled with wigs, scarves, support pillows and prosthetics, at the old location on the hospital’s main campus, the new room on the first floor of the Freytag Cancer Center looks like a boutique with samples tastefully displayed, surrounded by inspirational messages and accessories. It even has a dressing room. All provided to cancer patients at no cost.

“When I was envisioning what this room was going to look like, my main focus was that our patients didn’t feel like we were just giving them a wig, or it was an afterthought,” said Lisa Bordis, Volunteer and Gift Shop Manager for AdventHealth Palm Coast.

“When we were thinking about what we were going to put in this room, it was little touches that people don’t necessarily think about that will make a difference as days go on,” she said of the inspirational vibe.

“A lot of patients don’t have access to wigs under their insurance, so AdventHealth is providing them free of charge. The funds were donated through our foundation and some people that this is really close to their heart. Now when they come here, we’re taking really good care and time helping them get through their cancer treatment, and what makes this really special is our volunteers are the ones that help them.”

Other inspiring features of the center include the Hope Wall, created by the Foundation’s donors to provide soothing, hopeful messages to patients in the garden area. Foundation Director John Subers praised the community for their generosity and compassion.

“The Hope Wall’s vision is to provide a calming nature scene and inspirational messages from past and current patients for the next patients,” shared Subers. “I cannot thank you enough for the support.”

The Future Is Growing Together

“Here in Flagler County we don’t do things small,” noted Denyse Bales-Chubb as she remarked on the new cancer bell patients will ring upon completion of their treatments, a sign of hope for the future. “We go above and beyond.”

“We are so honored to have served this community for the past two decades, and look forward to finding more ways to grow alongside it.”

For more information on the Freytag Cancer Center and services, visit https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-palm-coast/freytag-cancer-center.