Cancer Care Support

Post-Op Breast Cancer Comfort Bags

Breast cancer patients undergoing a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or excisional biopsy at Bronson now have a little added comfort after surgery. Each patient receives a Bronson Comfort Bag. This program benefits 500 patients annually.
“The comfort bags we will provide to our breast cancer surgery patients will give them a few things to help make their recovery easier and we are grateful for the chance to do this.” – Bronson Oncology Nurse Navigator

Drainage Bulb Holders
The JP drain holder holds our mastectomy patients’ drains in place after surgery. Our patients were using safety pins to pin the drain to the inside of their shirt. Some patients have up to four drains, so it’s difficult and quite bulky to pin four separate bulbs to a shirt. The drain holder has alleviated a lot of the frustrations and complications our patients have in dealing with their drains. It allows the drains to always remain secure to the patient’s body while giving them the freedom to remove their clothing as needed. Having to unpin drains frequently can increase the risk of them accidentally getting pulled out. It also protects our patients’ clothing from getting holes due to the safety pins.

As a leading treatment center in southwest Michigan, Bronson Health Foundation established the Bronson Battle Creek Cancer Care fund which funds the needs of the Bronson Battle Creek Cancer Care Center, including:

• Assuring patients have access to needed medications, transportation, nourishment, durable medical equipment etc.
• Purchase new equipment as well as replacing or upgrading technology
• Patient and staff education
• Patient and survivor activities/celebrations
• Research related support

Thanks to the generous support of the Battle Creek Community, capital support has been invested at Bronson Battle Creek to supply the Cancer Care Center with a state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator with HyperArc. This new linear accelerator advances patient care and elevate Bronson’s comprehensive and high-quality cancer program in Battle Creek

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic provides highly specialized care to children and young adults with disorders of the blood or cancer. This can be a frightening time for children and families and we take extra steps to provide comfort and support. The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fund supports the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic with an emphasis on enhancements to and safeguarding the patient experience.

Child Life Specialists

Child Life Specialists are there to make every visit to Bronson a worry-free visit. Child Life Specialists help by providing emotional, psychological, and social support. They educate the child and their families about procedures, surgeries and hospital routines in a age-appropriate and honest way. Additionally, they provide opportunities for play through crafts and activities.

Murals

Creating a safe, healing and inviting environment is key to enhancing the treatment experience for a child. Murals truly enhance the healing process. These have been commissioned by local artists, and made possible thanks to the generosity of our community.

Room Makeovers

Similar to the single wall murals that are in our pediatric areas, we have been intentional of transforming normal treatment rooms with bare, white walls to a whole new place. This example below allows a child to be transported to their own sea aquarium. These room makeovers reduce fear and intimidation of treatment and enhances the healing process.