When chemotherapy patients at Heartland Cancer Center are receiving treatments they can now enjoy the spring renewal of the facility’s Healing Garden. A team of volunteers recently spruced up the garden, which is located on the south side of HCC, 204 Cleveland.
“Our patients and their families have always appreciated the Healing Garden that is right outside the large picture windows at the cancer center,” said Mark Mingenback, director of business strategy and marketing at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. “We can’t tell you how much we appreciate all the volunteers who joined us for this special day.”
Boy Scout Troop 184 chose the event as a community service project. And St. Rose and HCC volunteers, along with individuals who just wanted to help also pitched in. Jolene Biggs of Great Bend organized the May 19 event that lasted about five hours and involved 17 volunteers.
“Jolene and her husband, Craig, have been strong supporters of our cancer center since before the doors even opened,” Mingenback said. “They were instrumental in helping St. Rose develop the facility.”
The Healing Garden has been at HCC since it opened almost nine years ago but last year’s drought took its toll.
“Many of the plants didn’t make it,” Mingenback said. “But now the new ones are there for everyone to enjoy. Our patients deeply appreciate the hard work of these volunteers in making the Healing Garden a beautiful place to reflect, pray and relax.”
In addition to planting flowers and shrubs, and spreading rock, a new drip irrigation system was installed.
 The St. Rose Foundation funded the project from contributions earmarked for the cancer center. Donations to HCC, which are always welcome, may be sent to St. Rose Foundation, 3515 Broadway, Great Bend, Ks. 67530, attention Mark Mingenback.
St. Rose owns the cancer center.