SunTrust Awards Endowment to Roper St. Francis Radiation Oncology Department

SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) has awarded Roper St. Francis Healthcare with $10,000 to enhance the resources of its Radiation Oncology Department to help cancer patients and their families, numbering in excess of 4,000 individuals per year.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and in the Southeast region. The SunTrust donation will provide funding for the department’s Oncology Resources division which guides Roper St. Francis cancer patients and their families to build the knowledge and life-long habits that allow them to manage their healthcare —proactively and wisely. Oncology Resources in the Cancer Center are used by more than 80 patients a day.

“We are thrilled SunTrust can be part of the resource that bridges the gap for many cancer patients between technology and their wellbeing,” said Mark Lattanzio, Charleston City President, SunTrust. “We believe the best way to achieve better care is to help people understand the issues and questions affecting their health —we are proud to support the services offered by Roper St. Francis Healthcare.”

In addition, the donation will fund a computer critical to helping patients seek more resources via the Internet. The reference materials would be part of the newly renamed and expanded SunTrust Radiation Oncology Resources Center, which will be located on the first floor of Roper Hospital in the Cancer Center.
“SunTrust’s commitment to Oncology Resources will impact the whole community,” said Mary Decker, MD, Medical Director for Radiation Oncology with Roper St. Francis Healthcare and a board-certified radiation oncologist.. “At Roper St. Francis Cancer Center, we believe that knowledge is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. The new resources will allow Roper St. Francis Healthcare to deliver vital education and resource materials to the community.”

Roper St. Francis Cancer Center was recently awarded the prestigious, 3-year Accreditation with Commendation by the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer. This honor is bestowed on only the finest programs in the country with just 25 percent of hospitals in receipt. An even smaller number of those achieve Commendation. Last October, Roper St. Francis opened a new Breast Care Center, including digital mammography, at Roper Hospital’s downtown campus,. Other upcoming plans include a redesign to consolidate Cancer Center services at Roper Hospital and a groundbreaking for a new outpatient cancer center at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital’s West Ashley campus.