NOW OPEN—the Helmsley Cancer Center at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem is officially seeing patients! First of its kind in Israel, Shaare Zedek’s Cancer Center is fully equipped with a Radiology Institute, an Innovative Research Unit, Palliative Care, and Oncology Treatment Sub-Units. In the coming months, the final touches will be added to the exterior of the Cancer Center, including the iconic butterfly design to signify ‘wings of hope.’ “This truly ushers in a new era in care,” said Prof. Nir Peled, Director of the Oncology Institute.
Similar to the ‘wings of hope,’ it is our hope that we can count on your support during our Cancel Cancer Campaign, next Sunday, Nov. 20 – Monday, Nov. 21, raising vital funds for equipment, treatment and research at the new Cancer Center. During the campaign your gift will be 4x matched! On behalf of all of our patients, thank you in advance. Shaare Zedek is a leading light in cancer care, and your support is helping our light shine even brighter and the hospital’s impact to reach even further.
The opening of the six-story facility represents the culmination of years of planning and construction. Defined by large open spaces infused with natural light that extend from below-ground all the way to a massive skylight above, the facility has been designed to place the patient experience at the center. The design for the Center by Canadian-based architectural firm Farrow Partners and Jerusalem-based Rubinstein-Ofer Architects earned the building an international architecture award and is sure to become a Jerusalem icon.
The new Center, spread out over more than 12,000 square meters, allows Shaare Zedek to provide a wholly comprehensive approach to oncology care with the inclusion of a Radiotherapy Institute.
Prof. Ofer Merin, Director General of Shaare Zedek was among the first to welcome the first patients into the new center. “This is a truly emotional moment that can provide the countless people involved in making it happen with a sense of deep satisfaction. The greatest beneficiaries will be the medical community of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas who will be able to count on cancer care center on par with the world’s leading facilities.”
The multi-floor facility begins with the Radiotherapy Institute which is housed underground to accommodate the extremely heavy and specific engineering requirements for radiation care. The Institute also includes a CT Simulator which is a critical tool for mapping patient care.
The upper floors house multiple treatment areas for outpatient care including an all-new Oncology Day Hospital and multiple research and teaching facilities with seminar rooms and a dedicated auditorium.
In the coming months, the external elements of the Center will also be completed with the iconic “Butterfly” design slowly coming into shape. The structure will serve as a highly unique outside shell to complement the internal wooden elements that are found all throughout the building.
“The vision of this center is inspired by our recognition that the emotional needs of cancer patients are often as important as their practical and medical ones,” explains Prof. Jonathan Halevy, President of Shaare Zedek. “We are deeply indebted to the many partners in Israel and around the world who have helped us reach this moment.”
Prof. Nir Peled, Director of the Oncology Institute added, “This Center positions Shaare Zedek to provide leading oncology care defined by advanced technology and compassionate medicine and we have worked to recruit some of the industry’s leading physicians and technicians to staff this new facility. This truly ushers in a new era in care.”
