Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) presented Adventist Health with a ceremonial check for $10 million to expand the AIS Cancer Center in Bakersfield on Tuesday.
The 2022-23 State Budget includes direct funding for breast, colorectal, cardiothoracic, and specialty care cancer treatment. Residents of Kern County are more likely to die of cancer than any other cause and more likely to have lung, prostate, colon, or breast cancer – all of which have higher incidence rates than the rest of the state.
One in every eight women in the nation will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In Kern County, 400 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
“I am thrilled to bring $10 million to help Adventist Health reach more people in our community and save more lives,” said Assemblymember Salas. “This funding will provide new treatment opportunities for breast, colorectal, and cardiothoracic cancers. Cancer affects so many of us and our loved ones, and now we can serve more families closer to home with specialized care and better help those fighting back against cancer.”
Assemblymember Salas was joined by Adventist Health Kern County Network President Daniel Wolcott, AIS Cancer Center doctors, staff, the Cancer Survivors Coalition, and community members to celebrate the historic investment in local cancer treatment options.
Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center is the only Comprehensive Community Cancer Program in the Central Valley. The Center has the prestigious accreditation of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer – the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. AIS is a clinical research site for the National Cancer Institute and is recognized by the American College of Radiology for lung screening, breast imaging, and radiation oncology.
“Nearly ten years ago, we opened the doors of the Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center to provide award-winning care to people in our community. Since opening, we have treated more than 50,000 people in Kern County,” said Daniel Wolcott, President of Adventist Health Kern County Network. “Our mission at Adventist Health is to live God’s love by inspiring Health, Wholeness, and Hope. While our team strives to do this every day, we know there is more work to be done to continue to provide amazing care in Kern County and beyond. We are incredibly thankful to Assemblymember Salas for spearheading the budget effort that earmarked $10 million for the Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center.”
