Mercy executives, along with leaders from the Cherokee Nation, gathered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on Feb. 13 to celebrate the tribe’s $8 million donation to further cancer care at Mercy Fort Smith. The gift is part of the Cherokee Nation’s efforts to address cancer disparities within tribal communities, where American Indian and Alaska Native populations in Oklahoma face significantly higher cancer incidence and mortality rates compared with the general U.S. population. The tribe also announced an $8 million gift to the University of Oklahoma Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Tulsa during the event.

Mercy’s Dr. John Mohart expressed appreciation for the gift to Mercy Fort Smith, where more than 5,000 patients are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. In the past decade, as other regional cancer care providers have either reduced their capacity or even shuttered their doors, Mercy Fort Smith has grown access three-fold attempting to meet the communities’ need. 

Today, Mercy Fort Smith Oncology facilitates care for more than 25,000 patients annually. Ultimately, 30-40% of these newly diagnosed cancer patients must still leave our service area for care, mostly due to limitations in access. This donation will help add capacity and keep cancer patients closer to home. Plans call for more than doubling the number of oncology and radiation oncology providers and adding surgical oncology specialists; and incorporating essential technology.

See coverage from the event from Fox 23 News Tulsa here or check out the video of the event posted to social media by the Cherokee Nation here.