2nd Century of Caring - cancer campaign

“You have cancer.”
Some people fear these words more than any other. But tragically, they are what thousands of Connecticut residents hear from doctors each year.

Saint Raphael’s gives cancer patients and their families the hope and healing needed to battle the disease.

Indeed, the Hospital of Saint Raphael’s Father Michael J. McGivney Center for Cancer Care features one of the most progressive and comprehensive cancer treatment programs in the state, specializing in breast, prostate, lung and brain cancers.

Because of this, more cancer patients turn to Saint Raphael’s for outpatient radiation therapy than any other facility in the state.
We offer patients the latest and most effective leading-edge technology, including:

• Intensity modulated radiation therapy and brachytherapy for prostate cancer
• Stereotactic radiosurgery for head, neck and brain tumors.
• MammoSite radiation therapy for breast cancer.
• PET-CT and3 Tesla MRI scans for early disease detection and treatment staging.

When surgery is needed, our experience is second to none. We offer cancer patients the most advanced procedures, including state-of-the-art robotic surgery for prostate and gynecological cancers. Chemotherapy patients can also choose to receive the latest cancer-fighting drugs in one of several private, comfortable settings. And when more than one form of treatment is needed, our cancer specialists work together to assure the most effective, coordinated care.

Perhaps equally important is that all of these treatments are delivered with the loving care and compassion for which Saint Raphael’s is known. Saint Raphael’s is also paving the way for new and better cancer care as a national clinical trials site. And because cancer affects every aspect of a patient’s life, we provide a comprehensive integrative medicine program that features a wide array of social, emotional, nutritional and spiritual support services.

Saint Raphael cancer services revolve around providing care for patients and families in the most responsive, convenient and sensitive manner possible. The inpatient medical and surgical floors that see cancer patients provide sophisticated care in a comfortable, private setting.

All this and more has made Saint Raphael’s a leader in cancer care. But this care comes with a cost.

Acquiring the latest cancer-fighting technology costs millions of dollars. To upgrade and expand our equipment and facilities, we need to generate $15 million over the next several years. Planned projects include:

Building and equipping a satellite radiation therapy center on Whitney Avenue in Hamden, offering many patients more convenient care.

Replacing the McGivney Center’s two linear accelerators used to administer radiation therapy.

Purchasing a CT simulator that will help physicians map out the most precise cancer treatment plan.


Says Saint Raphael President and CEO David W. Benfer: "As the Hospital of Saint Raphael prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, we ask you to look at our outstanding cancer program and to give generously. With your support, we can make Saint Raphael’s cancer services even stronger -into our second century and beyond."

Saint Raphael cancer milestones
Cancer campaign leadership
Cancer care at Saint Raphael’s