Monday afternoon was a time of great joy at Troy Regional Medical Center. The preparation was long but the journey has begun.

TRMC celebrated the opening of the Troy Regional Cancer Center with a ribbon cutting and reception hosted by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce with hospital staff, board and Pike Medical Foundation members, community officials and townspeople in attendance.

Troy Mayor Jason A. Reeves called the Cancer Center a remarkable achievement.

“This is an amazing facility,” Reeves said. “But what is truly amazing is what the facility will do for cancer patients and the people of this area. This was a dream that is now a reality.”

The newly renovated 9,400-square foot $375,000 facility is designed to enhance cancer treatment services for residents of Troy, Pike County and the region by providing the cancer treatment they need closer to home.

“Being told you have cancer is an extremely emotional situation,” said Ronnie Dean, TRMC chief executive officer. “Then, having to leave the surroundings of your family, friends and community of support only makes the situation and recovery much more difficult. Our hospital board’s decision to develop a Cancer Center at TRMC was simply about meeting an unmet need in our region and bringing the latest treatments and services closer to home.”

The Cancer Center is located on the second floor of TRMC and is anchored by an eight- bay infusion suite with heated chairs, private televisions and family seating in a modern comfortable environment.

Steve Garrott, Pike Medical Foundation chairman, said the renovations and equipment were very costly but thanks to an outpouring of community support for the foundation and its mission, the cost burden of the project was reduced.

“We are overwhelmed by the community’s generosity and support of the Pike Medical Foundation and Troy Regional Medical Center,” Garrott said. “We have been able to raise more than $175,000 for the development of the Troy Regional Cancer Center. It is incredible to know these dollars support cancer treatment right here at home. We thank each individual and business that contributed to our campaign. Without this support, the Troy Regional Cancer Center would not have been possible.”

Until now, cancer care patients receiving chemotherapy have had to travel out of town.

“Attempting to navigate such a fragmented system often adds unnecessary stress for patients dealing with cancer,” said Amy Minor, registered nurse and chief clinical officer for TRMC. “Over the last six months, while construction was underway, we were working behind the scenes to bring together the best technology and experts for treating cancer including an additional diagnostic capability, PET/CT. Our goal is to achieve a coordinated and comprehensive approach to cancer care.”

Dr. Tom Brown, oncology/hematology, said the treatments offered at TRMC will be very convenient and much appreciated.

The infusion nurses will provide comfort and socialization that are conducive to healing.

Dean said, too, when patients are comfortable with their care “remarkable things can happen.” And, TRMC provides the environment for remarkable things to happen.

When Dean’s father was dealing with cancer, he found comfort in the care and caring he received at TRMC.

“Troy Regional Medical Center is a special place,” Dean said. “We are on sacred ground.”