North Star Lodge Donors

Click here to view donors to North Star for January-May 2010.

2010 Bruce McDonnell Golf Classic: Thank You!

The McDonnell family says thank you to our sponsors and all the golfers at this year's Bruce McDonnell Gold Flassic. Read more...

Interview with Dr Li from North Star Lodge

Thank You Safeway

We are honored to have received a charitable donation from Safeway's employees and customers. This donation is helping to fund breast cancer awareness and treatment programs at North Star Lodge and `Ohana Mammography Center.

Yakima Eagles Auxiliary donation will create fund for cancer clinical trials.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund has provided a $5000 grant to Memorial's North Star Lodge cancer care center.

In cancer research, clinical trials are scientific studies whose goal is to obtain information about different methods of treating cancer. There have been great strides made in survival, quality of life and treatment of cancer patients as a direct result of clinical trials.

"As an early-stage clinical trial research facility, North Star Lodge is conducting clinical trials on par with some of the largest and best-funded research centers in the United States," says Dr. Thomas Boyd MD, board-certified in adult Hematology and Medical Oncology, and the Medical Director of U.S. Oncology clinical trials at Memorial's North Star Lodge. "Our lack of bureaucracy here often means we are able to offer clinical trial treatments to patients in Central Washington sooner than even the better known university facilities," he adds. "The trials that are done at North Star are very carefully managed. Patients do not need to go to a large center to receive cutting edge treatment. The best treatment available today is provided right here by our physicians."

Memorial's North Star Lodge physicians are members of national research groups regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Health and the National Cancer Institute. A review board in Central Washington comprised of local medical personnel from local area hospitals and lay people from the community oversee all the research studies open to patients at North Star Lodge.

The establishment of a North Star Lodge cancer clinical trials fund will ensure continued growth and excellence for this important component of cancer treatment.

Thank you Yakima Eagles Auxiliary!

North Star Lodge to receive proceeds of second annual Hot Dog Sale for Charity.

Yakima Top Food and Drug employees and North Star lodge volunteers worked together to serve up hot dogs, chips and pop over three Saturdays in June. Shoppers and community members eagerly paid the $2.00 asking price, and often donated more. "One gentleman paid $50 for his hot dog", said Darla Niblett, organizer of the event, "I told him we were close to reaching our goal, and he generously gave extra". Proceeds from the annual sale resulted in an $1,124.84 donation for North Star Lodge.

Darla Niblett, Top Food & Drug event organizer, presents a donation to North Star Lodge representative, Debbie Rich.

North Star lodge Receives Certificate of Appreciation

Earlier this month, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, Leo G. Pullar presented NSL with a Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation Award. Colonel Pullar is the Commander at the Yakima Training Center and a patient of Dr. Tony Ha. Colonel Pullar and his family are leaving the Yakima Command for another assignment and he wanted to express his heartfelt appreciation for the "Team" and all the wonderful care he received while here. The certificate and plaque is hanging in the front lobby with the other awards for NSL if you would like to read it personally. It says:

Colonel Puller was very complimentary of the care and respect he received from every staff person he encountered at NSL. He said "the ARMY does a great job of creating teams, but your team is one of the best I have ever seen". What a tremendous compliment to you all.

North Star Lodge dietitians become Board-Certified in Oncology Nutrition

Two dietitians at Memorial's North Star Lodge Cancer Center have achieved Board Certification as specialists in Oncology Nutrition. They are two of only eight specialists in the state of Washington to have this qualification. Dietary Specialists Lena Gill and Carli Hill successfully met the rigorous specialty practice requirements and passed a nationally administered examination from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietitian Association (ADA).

"Nutrition plays a critical role in the fight against cancer," says Mary Marsh, Director of North Star Lodge. "Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after treatment can help patients feel better and stay stronger. We are fortunate to have Lena and Carli, with their knowledge and expertise of oncology nutrition, treating our patients here at North Start Lodge."

Gill has been at North Star Lodge for almost four years and has worked in nutrition for 10 years. Hill has been at North Star and worked in nutrition for almost three years. For many patients, the side effects of cancer and cancer treatments make it difficult to eat well. Appetite, taste, smell, and the ability to eat enough food or absorb the nutrients from food may be affected. Dietitians specializing in Oncology Nutrition can develop nutrition therapies to help cancer patients get the nutrients needed to maintain body weight and strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and help fight infection. According to the National Cancer Institute, being well-nourished has been linked to a better prognosis (chance of recovery) in cancer patients.

Both Gill and Hill see patients at North Star on a referral basis as well as for nutrition risk screenings.

Mike Shuel of Meredith Furniture presents a donation packet to Kitty Inaba, Program coordinator at North Star Lodge.

In a recent promotion, consumers were eligible to receive a discount on their purchase of an Ekornes chair in exchange for a donation to charity.

Thank you Meredith Furniture, for choosing North Star Lodge as your charity of choice!

North Star Lodge Cancer Center An example of practice excellence among medium practices

The facility name conjures a mental picture of a beautiful, tranquil lodge in an idyllic lush mountain setting. The 42,000 square foot facility does not disappoint. It is a bi-level structure on approximately five acres. You cross a rough plank bridge, over a bubbling stream to enter the foyer. A large portico shelters the front entrance protecting patients and visitors from occasional inclement weather. continued...

Posted: Sep 4, 2008 04:22 PM

Updated: Sep 5, 2008 09:00 AM

Yakima, Wa.- Soothing. Relaxing. Peaceful. This isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think cancer but patients at North Star Lodge are experiencing this first-hand.

“They’re not walking into a sterile, stark typical hospital setting,” said Tracy Daniels, an employee at North Star Lodge.

Instead they’re walking into a comforting environment that offers the surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that cancer patients need. People from across the state come here to get the care they need.

“Patients come from Spokane, a woman is from Walla Walla and several people from the Tri Cities,” said Dr. Tom Boyd, Director of Oncology at North Star Lodge.

Over the last three years North Star has become very popular thanks to their many new treatments.

“Cutting edge therapy that’s not available in the seattle area,” said Boyd.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the valley area. It’s because of this that North Star has created Star Study, research focusing on breast cancer prevention.

“It was successful in reducing the risk of women by about 50 percent,” said Boyd.

And they don’t stop there. North Star started a new cancer study today to find more options for their patients.

“Treatments that are perhaps a little more mild in their side effects and far more effective against the cancer,” said Boyd.

Prostate Cancer Care in Yakima

September 22, 2008

Radiation therapy is painless and simple and treatment usually takes six to eight weeks. Wolfgang Franz was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006. He spent most of May and June 2006 in radiation treatments.

“It was definitely a shock. I did not have the slightest indication. Absolutely had no problem with my prostate,” said Wolfgang Franz, a cancer survivor.

Dr. Sean Cleary says it’s normal to not have symptoms. He suggests men over the age of 40 ask their doctors for blood tests regularly. There are some typical warning signs.

“Difficulty with urination, increased frequency of urination throughout the day or night,” said Dr. Cleary, the medical director for radiation oncology.

Wolfgang asked his doctor for a PSA blood test and biopsy. His doctor found two of his cells showed prostate cancer, so he began radiation.

“The daily treatments are very easy, patients come in, lie down, have a scan like an x-ray from multiple directions,” said Dr. Cleary.

The machine moves around the patient’s body for up to 20 minutes, slowly killing the cancerous cells.

“You have to take care of yourself, its your body,” said Franz.

Wolfgang says it took him six months to fully recuperate. Now he says he feels like himself again.

“I feel totally normal, just like before,” said Franz.

Dr. Cleary says they currently have 15 radiation patients for prostate cancer. So far the cure rate in Yakima has been 90 percent. You should talk to your medical care provider for more information.

Posted: Sep 19, 2008 04:21 PM

Updated: Sep 20, 2008 12:20 AM

From KNDO http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=9042656&nav=menu484_2_9

Sun Scenery and Chemo

At Yakima's North Star Lodge, the setting is part of the state-of-the-art cancer treatment Sun, Scenery and Chemo, a recent article in The Oregonian.

Comprehensive Radiation Oncology Technology in Yakima Now Includes Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and Image-guided Radiation Therapy

2007 marks the 50th Anniversary of radiation treatments offered in the Yakima Valley by Memorial's Family of Services. In that time, Memorial, and more recently North Star Lodge, has become a leading medical resource in radiation oncology solutions. With invaluable input from the community and clinical collaborators in the valley, North Star Lodge's medical team provides comprehensive treatments using an array of state-of-the-art technology equal to that available at many world-renowned facilities.

What is IMRT?

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is an advanced form of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). It uses sophisticated software and hardware to vary the shape and intensity of radiation delivered to different parts of the treatment area. It is one of the most precise forms of external beam radiation therapy available in the United States.

How does it work?

Like conventional 3DCRT, IMRT links CT, MRI and PET scans to treatment planning software that allows the cancerous area to be visualized in three dimensions; 3DCRT and IMRT differ in how the pattern and volume of radiation delivered to the tumor is determined. In IMRT, the physician designates specific doses of radiation that the tumor and normal surrounding tissues should receive. The physics team then uses a sophisticated computer program to develop an individualized treatment plan. Individual daily treatments with IMRT are slightly longer than with 3DCRT, but result in generally reduced side effects for the patient. Accuracy of treatment delivery is further enhanced by using image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) along with IMRT.

Which cancers are treated using IMRT?

IMRT is used to treat select patients with prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, some brain tumors, some breast cancers, and selected soft tissue tumors. Treatments using this technique began at North Star Lodge in March 2007.

What is IGRT?

Image-guided radiation therapy is technology that allows clinicians to locate a tumor target prior to each radiation therapy treatment. IGRT, implemented at North Star Lodge in the fall of 2006, uses patient positioning devices and imaging tools to target tumors more precisely. This dramatically reduces the need for large target margins, resulting in reduced exposure of healthy tissue and ultimately reduced side effects.

What is the significance of IMRT and IGRT at North Star Lodge?

The implementation of IMRT furthers the vision to bring together the most comprehensive, technically-advanced oncology solutions available to serve our patients. When used along with standard external beam radiation, intensity modulated radiation therapy, high dose rate brachytherapy, low dose rate brachytherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, radiopharmaceuticals and IGRT, physicians and their medical teams report the highest success rate with fewer side effects. IGRT takes a precise treatment like IMRT and makes it even more accurate by providing the treatment team a real-time view of where within the patient the beam is targeted.

Where is this treatment available?

While elements of this treatment are available throughout Washington state, North Star Lodge offers comprehensive radiation therapy in a centralized facility to provide increased convenience for patients.

What Are Some of the Goals for North Star Lodge?

• IGRT that takes tumor motion with respiration (respiratory gating) into consideration
• Continue to institute programs and clinical trials emphasizing the role of exercise, nutrition and other complementary therapies to augment treatment and reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy