What’s more, community donations have proven key to funding some of those services.
One prime example: the center’s on-site Therapeutic Food Pantry, staffed by nutritionists to address the special dietary needs of cancer patients.
Another program uses donations and grant money to buy gas cards for financially disadvantaged patients to ensure they can get to their appointments – and thus get their treatments – in a timely manner.
“A lot of what we do at St. Tammany Hospital Foundation is focused on removing those sorts of barriers to care,” Garrard said.
Additionally, there’s an on-site wig boutique. There’s an acupuncturist. In the first quarter of 2022, the center plans on launching a series of therapeutic classes, including music therapy, art therapy, tai chi and yoga. Some will even be available virtually, for those patients who might not feel up to participating in-person.
Even the building itself reflects the whole-patient approach, with artwork from a variety of local artists adorning its walls as part of the foundation’s Healing Arts Initiative.
“Really, it’s about more than just treating the whole patient. We support the whole family,” Garrard said. “Through the generosity of our community, we can come in, rally around them and support the whole family through this cancer journey, from diagnosis through survivorship.”