AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Big news Tuesday from The Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center. It's news a lot of medical professionals and patients are ecstatic about, the center is expanding. The expansion was announced during a news conference Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. It's being called the "Power of One" Campaign.
There are over 20,000 cancer patients in the Panhandle. That number is expected to increase by 45% in 20 years. And it's because of that, The Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center says it has simply outgrown it's current space and needs more.
"Since 1998 we have really reached the point where its something we can't wait for any longer," said Dr. Paul Hancock, CEO of Harrington Cancer Center.
Tuesday the capital campaign for the expansion kicked off with the Ware family announcing a $1 million lead gift from Amarillo National Bank.
"We think one of Amarillo's real assets is The Harrington Cancer Center. This is a state of the art quality care that benefits the whole Panhandle, so we're proud to be a part of it," said Richard Ware, President of Amarillo National Bank.
The expansion will take place between the current cancer center and Baptist St. Anthony's Ware Tower. Giving patients the quality and state of the art care they expect from The Harrington Cancer Center, plus a lot more room for updated technology and equipment.
"There will be a number of things that will really help us to provide the services we provide now, but just more room to do it.", says Dr. Paul Hancock.
Dr. Hancock says the expansion will be the result of a $25 million capital campaign. Once they reach half of that, construction will start. Dr. Hancock says he hopes it's all done in 2 1/2 years.
