Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders renovations add comfort to world-class care

Published on Friday, August 23, 2024

By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu

Photos By: Joe Ellis/UMMC Photography

Renovations have transformed the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Mississippi, providing patients and their families with a state-of-the-art clinic designed for comfort as well as care.

A ribbon was cut on the updated center Friday, with tours of the space following.

The more than $5 million project tripled the size of the center’s infusion room and redesigned it for more privacy for patients and increased the number of exam rooms from eight to 14. The colors of the center coordinate with the warm white, fuchsia and lime found in Children’s of Mississippi’s Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower, opened in 2020. The renovations were possible with the lead and initial gift from Pat and Jim Coggin of Jackson.

The center, which cares for about 550 patients annually, allows patients to receive the care they need without leaving the state.

Dr. Betty Herrington, professor of hematology and oncology, said the center’s world-class care is matched with surroundings that are designed to provide faster access to care in a more comfortable space.

“Caring for children isn't just about providing excellent treatment. It's also about respecting families’ time and comfort,” she said. “With the renovation of our Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, patients will receive care in a space that’s comfortable, calming and convenient.” 

The center, serving as Mississippi's sole pediatric cancer center and one of the nation's largest pediatric sickle cell disease treatment programs, has been a beacon of hope and healing, she said.

The center got its start when Dr. Jeanette Pullen, the state’s first pediatric hematologist and oncologist, sought help to build a pediatric cancer clinic. The Junior League of Jackson raised the initial $2 million in funding to build the center, which opened in 1991. The center formed the foundation of the Batson Tower, which opened in 1997.

Philanthropist Suzan Thames, who raised funds for the center’s construction, donated $1 million to its renovation, creating the Dr. D. Jeanette Pullen Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research Laboratory and Office within the center.

"This is in honor of Dr. Jeanette Pullen,” Thames said. “She is the real gift. Dr. Pullen was and continues to be relentless in her research to see more children survive cancer.”

From its start, individuals and businesses from the metro Jackson community and the rest of the state came together to support the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. This is true for the renovation of the center, too.  

Following the gift from the Coggins, additional donors contributed to the project:

• The Junior League of Jackson donated $500,000 toward updating the space.
• A nurses’ station has been named for the Selby and Richard McRae Foundation in honor of a significant gift toward the renovations.
• Southern Mississippi Trading of Waynesboro, a wholesale lumber trading company, committed $100,000 to the project.
• The Ole Miss student dance marathon fundraiser RebelTHON donated $100,000 to the project, and Costco and Walmart each pledged $50,000.
• Summit Plastics employees raised $25,000 to help fund the renovations, and the company matched it, bringing the total to $50,000.
• Phil and Melissa Hanberry of Hattiesburg also contributed $100,000 to the cause through the Giving Grace Fund.
• Friends of Children’s Hospital committed $250,000 for the renovation. To recognize Friends’ long-standing partnership with the hospital, the infusion room will be named for the organization. Additionally, Friends committed nearly $100,000 in support of interactive technology that will be available for patients in every exam room and infusion bay. This commitment was made possible through a generous gift from HORNE and the HORNE Community Foundation.

Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and professor of pediatrics, said the renovations reflect the generosity and compassion of Mississippians.

“Thanks to these donations, we can provide an enhanced environment where our young patients and their families receive the best care in surroundings designed to support their healing journey."