Former President George Bush and Wife, Barbara, Help Raise Baptist Cancer Services Funds, Tour Cancer Center

Jackson, Miss. - May 5, 2003 - Baptist Cancer Services, part of Baptist Health Systems in Jackson, Miss., launched a $15 million Capital Campaign co-chaired by Rick and Ann Calhoon.

"At Baptist Cancer Services, our vision for cancer care was developed by talking to patients, families, caregivers and cancer survivors. We asked them to tell us about their experiences and what they need to help them through the process. Their answers to these questions have become the focus of the Campaign for Baptist Cancer Services. Our goal is to put into place any and all services that will help our patients and their families have the best possible quality of life," said Vice Chairman of Baptist Health Systems Board of Trustees Rick Calhoon.

Other members of Baptist Cancer Services Capital Campaign Cabinet are Brett Couch, Doug Hederman, James W. Hood, Alvis T. Hunt, Ted D. Jackson, Donald L. Kilgore, William W. Lampton, Justin McClure, Howard L. McMilllan, Jr., Paul G. Moak, Jr., Gail J. Pittman, Jon David Smith, J. H. "Tommy" Thames, Harry M. Walker, J. Kelley Williams, and Andy Wimberly.

To kick off the Capital Campaign, former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, toured Baptist Cancer Services on May 5, 2003. They attended a fund-raising luncheon benefiting Baptist Cancer Services, which raised $1.1 million.

"We are grateful for the commitment of this Campaign Cabinet," said Baptist President and Chief Executive Officer Kurt W. Metzner. "Their leadership will be instrumental in helping Baptist Cancer Services reach its goal of expanding support services for cancer patients and their families."

Baptist Cancer Services, which opened the 39,000 sq ft. Hederman Cancer Center in May 2002, is expanding support services and planning for additional patient and family facilities. Through its fund-raising efforts, Baptist Cancer Services will renovate an existing property on Manship Street to create a guest house/lodge facility. The Lodge will provide housing for Baptist's cancer patients and their families who live outside the Jackson area. To date, Baptist Health Systems employees have already contributed almost $400,000 in donations to help renovate the existing building for lodging.

Baptist Cancer Services treats patients from 71 out of Mississippi's 82 counties, and Baptist treats more cancer patients than any other hospital in Mississippi. These patients may drive two to three hours each way, every day for weeks for their therapy. The Cancer Services Lodge will give them and their families' convenient, comfortable, private accommodations within walking distance of Baptist, allowing them to undergo daily cancer treatment without the added difficulty of commuting.

Additional funds will expand a transportation program that currently provides free transportation to cancer patients within a 30-mile radius of Jackson. Future plans are to expand the service to provide roundtrip transportation within a 60-mile radius of the greater Jackson area between Baptist and the homes of cancer patients. The transportation program will also include valet parking services for patients.

Funds will also be used to develop a private out door garden area adjacent to and accessible from the Center for cancer patients to enjoy. For cancer patients and their families, it would not be unusual to spend between six and eight hours a day at the Center during treatment. The garden area will offer a private secluded area where they can enjoy peace and quiet, fresh air and a place to temporarily escape.

Capital Campaign committee member, renowned local artisan and pottery craftsman, Gail Pittman, has generously donated her efforts to Baptist Cancer Services by creating a special pattern called "Hope." The brightly colored flowers on a vibrant green vine capture the spirit of hope that daily renews the patients and staff at Baptist Cancer Services.

The first piece in the hope pattern was given to President and Mrs. Bush in recognition and gratitude for their efforts in cancer awareness, treatment and research. The next piece is a pitcher, which served as the centerpiece for the luncheon. This piece will soon be for sale to the public. Future pieces in the "Hope" design will be made available through contributions to Baptist Cancer Services.

Sales from the "Hope" pattern will be used to fund special projects and needs of cancer patients for which other resources are not designated. The Patient Service Fund covers a variety of special patient needs, such as wigs for patients who cannot afford them. It covers special activities such as free concerts for inpatients on the Cancer Unit. The fund pays for new educational literature, VHS tapes and DVDs for the Resource Library located in the Hederman Cancer Center. It also helps cancer survivors by bringing in special speakers to encourage and inspire during the annual Cancer Survivors Day.

More information about Baptist Cancer Services is available online. An overview of Baptist's alliance with the M.D. Anderson Cancer Manager Program, Protect and Detect Cancer Screening, cancer treatment guide and support services can be accessed through Baptist's website at www.mbhs.org or call the Baptist Health Line at (601) 948-6262 or 1-800-948-6262.

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