Ray and Kay Eckstein Regional Cancer Care Center name will acknowledge lead gift
Acknowledging the lead gift to the region's first comprehensive cancer care center, Baptist Health Paducah's new $19.1 million facility will be named the Ray & Kay Eckstein Regional Cancer Care Center.
Acknowledging the lead gift to the region’s first comprehensive cancer care center, Baptist Health Paducah’s new $19.1 million facility will be named the Ray & Kay Eckstein Regional Cancer Care Center.
The center’s grand opening will be celebrated in late June, and it will open for patients July 10.
The Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust donated the lead gift in honor of their founders, Ray and Kay Eckstein.
Ray Eckstein said as soon as he learned of the hospital’s plan to build a cancer center, he knew he wanted to be involved. “From two close family members affected by this disease, we know firsthand the impact it has on the family,” he said, “so we want to be part of the solution.”
Eckstein said the regional cancer care center is important for area residents. “We want people in our region to be able to receive quality cancer care close to home, so they don’t have the additional stress or costs for traveling,” he said, “and staying close to home allows their friends and family to provide the support they need.”
The Ecksteins established the Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust in 2005 “because we believe the Lord has been good and faithful, and we want to give back to others,” he said.
The Ray & Kay Eckstein Regional Cancer Care Center, a two-story 56,000-square-foot facility, is on Broadway near the intersection of 24th Street, on the northeast corner of the hospital campus.
As Baptist Health Paducah celebrates its 50th year of cancer care, it consolidates a variety of cancer services from across the hospital campus into the new location. Patients can see their doctors and get their labs and treatment – all in the same sparkling new center designed with a serene healing atmosphere.
“Our goal is to make life easier for people fighting this disease,” said William A. Brown, hospital president. “The trustees of the Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust understand the need and support our mission to help patients and their families during this fight. We are very grateful for their generous gift, as well as for the generosity expressed throughout our community, to help bring this center to our region.”
Starting with the area’s first cobalt treatment here in 1967, Baptist Health’s multi-disciplinary program has been nationally-accredited since 2001, with the area’s only radiation oncology service accredited since 1998. Recent technology upgrades have included da Vinci robotic surgery, 3-D mammography and stereotactic radiosurgery, which can reduce radiation treatment from weeks to days.
The Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust gift is the largest of the $10 million capital campaign, announced by Baptist Health Foundation Paducah in January to support cancer, cardiac and maternity care, and outreach programs to improve the health of the community. “Celebrating Miracles, Transforming Lives” is the first-ever comprehensive capital campaign in the 64-year history of Baptist Health Paducah.
For more information or to make a donation to the “Celebrating Miracles, Transforming Lives” campaign, contact the Foundation at 270.575.2871 or visit SupportBaptistHealth.org/Paducah.