After 20 months of construction the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute (TCI) at Long Beach Memorial has finally opened the doors to their brand-new Todd Cancer Pavilion for special sneak peek events. For the first time ever guests were able to get a glimpse of the building and tour through the new MemorialCare Breast Center, Ambulatory Infusion Center, Women’s Specialty Center, Community Resource Center, Cancer Specialty Center, Cancer Risk & Prevention Program and the Integrated Cancer Medicine Program.
The new Todd Cancer Pavilion went on a rapid streak of unveils, first allowing employees to get a day of tours, followed by a special event for donors and community supporters, and capped off with a special open house, where nearly 300 community members attended.
On Thursday, June 27 an official ribbon cutting was performed by Cathy Kopy, executive director, Todd Cancer Institute; Philip Di Saia, M.D., medical director, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute; Diana Hendel, CEO, Long Beach Memorial, Miller Children’s and Community Hospital Long Beach; Tamra Kaplan, COO, Long Beach Memorial; and Doug Todd, director of government affairs for Siemens Corporation and the son of Dr. Malcolm C. Todd, key contributor to the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute. Todd reminded the audience that “the beautiful new building is just another step forward that the Todd Cancer Institute has taken as it continues to provide world class cancer treatment here in Long Beach.”
On Saturday, June 29, the community was invited to partake in another preview event showcasing the Todd Cancer Pavilion. At the event, community members were given exclusive guided tours and taken through the new Pavilion to introduce them to the various programs and centers that make up TCI. In addition to the sneak peek tours guests were able to see a special work of art, constructed with the help of the “community crane project.” The piece consisting of 10,000 origami cranes hangs in the lobby as a symbol of hope for the community and cancer patients alike.
“The new Todd Cancer Pavilion is a symbol of Long Beach Memorial’s commitment to the City of Long Beach to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment in our community,” says Kopy. “The new cancer center co-locates many outpatient cancer services into one convenient location with a calm, serene environment. It is a place where the whole person will be cared for – mind, body and spirit. Long Beach Memorial has been taking care of cancer patients for more than 100 years, and we fully intend to be here for the next 100 years, or until cancer is cured.”