Gift Benefits New Cancer Center

Planting Trees for Future Generations Generous Memorial Gift Benefits New Cancer Center

an Wyck Webb Jr. and Susan Hill dated for many years, enjoying a loving, happy relationship. They ate out, V watched movies together, spent time in the mountains and at the beach and traveled to London and Spain on separate occasions.

Hill was a staunch advocate of women’s rights who worked tirelessly for women’s reproductive health throughout the country. Slowing down wasn’t an option for her — until she was diagnosed with breast cancer, becoming a cancer patient at UNC REX under the care of Dr. Jeff Crane.

Sadly, she passed away at age 61 in 2010.

“I’ve always been appreciative of what Dr. Crane did for Susan and think he helped her survive three years longer than she would have otherwise,” said Webb, who was devastated by her death. “I didn’t get to know him that well, but Susan very much counted on him for his expertise and decided she wasn’t going to try to find anybody else to treat her. She felt like he really cared.”

To demonstrate his gratitude to UNC REX and to honor Hill, Webb, who is a retired insurance agency owner, has made one of the largest single lead gifts to the Cancer Center Campaign.

“It is an honor to work with donors like Van Webb to personalize areas of the Cancer Center,” said Kay Taylor, Director of Strategic Philanthropy. “The garden space named for Susan Hill will create a place of beauty and healing for patients and caregivers far into the future.”

Using his gift to create a garden makes perfect sense given Webb’s love of the outdoors and Hill’s love for gardening, said Frances Bobbie, his first cousin and financial advisor. She helped facilitate his gift to UNC REX.

Susan Hill

“The nature component of it and having a place for respite and healing for people who are suffering with cancer was what appealed to him,” Bobbie said. “It’s not just the patient who’s ill and needs comfort; it’s also those who are involved daily with their care. He really wanted to honor Susan in this way.”

The Cancer Center is under construction and scheduled for completion in December 2021. The four-story, 144,000 square foot facility is expected to enhance and expand UNC REX’s full range of clinical oncology services, including infusion, radiation therapy and clinical trials. The new center will also provide increased space for a host of new services.

When UNC REX opened its Cancer Center on the main campus in 1987 in response to a growing need in Wake County, it was a pioneering step for the organization. At that time, only a handful of oncologists practiced in Wake County. Today, dozens of physicians treat 3,000 patients annually at the main campus Cancer Center plus five satellite locations across Wake County. Associate Vice President for UNC REX Cancer Care Tom Grates said the new facility is vital to the continuation of the excellent care for which UNC REX is known.

“The building that we’re currently operating out of was constructed 33 years ago,” Grates said. “It was a state-of-theart building at that time, but the number of patients that we’re caring for now has outgrown the limitations of the building. This new facility will be a state-of-the-art building but will be much larger and more attractive to our patients so that we can continue providing the same care but in a more conducive environment.”

Grates is aware of Webb’s gift and says he thinks the Cancer Center will continue garnering strong community support.

“I think the fact that the campaign has already generated as much enthusiasm and response as it has, even though the building itself is still quite a ways off, is a very positive sign,” he said. “I think because of the excellent reputation that UNC REX Cancer Care enjoys in the community, a program that’s always been very well supported, the public is rallying behind our campaign.”

To realize the broad vision of a comprehensive facility, UNC REX has created a campaign to fund and name critical components, including conference rooms, lobbies, gardens, a boutique, an urgent care facility, a family respite area and an arts initiative — among others. Philanthropy from the community is expected to play a significant role in creating these important, transformative spaces.

“The vision for this important new center will be realized through philanthropy,” Taylor said. “The leadership and financial generosity of caring donors will ensure the best possible cancer care for Wake County and the surrounding area.

Grates said administrators spent over a year soliciting input from cancer patients, survivors and co-workers when designing the building because they thought it was important. “I think that’s going to make a big difference once the building is completed,” he said.

Webb isn’t surprised to hear that input from cancer patients and survivors was considered as officials designed the building that will host thousands of patients and visitors each year and include a significant arts presence to promote a calm environment focused on wellness.

The new UNC REX Cancer Center is slated to be completed in December 2021.

When Taylor invited him and Frances to UNC REX to discuss his donation, he said she was very interested in hearing about Hill and how he wanted to honor her.

“Susan loved to garden, and Kay and I started talking about the possibility of having some kind of garden at the Cancer Center in Susan’s memory,” Webb said. “I feel good that I’m able to do it, and for me it’s the right thing to do. I think it’s great that they’re building a new Cancer Center at UNC REX. If they can provide more and more care to people that have cancer, I’m in favor of it.”

Kevin Anderson, who is serving in a volunteer leadership capacity as chair of the Cancer Center Campaign Advisory Committee, agrees with Webb.

“As a cancer survivor, I am keenly aware of the challenges in patient care during all phases of cancer treatment,” Anderson said. “The new UNC REX Cancer Center will be a remarkable resource for our community, bringing the pinnacle of healthcare technology, joined with unparalleled personal care, to meet the needs and concerns of the patient, empower the healthcare team in their delivery of remarkable care and support the critical role of family and friends as caregivers.

“Philanthropy makes a critical contribution to elevate the combined experience of patient, healthcare worker and caregiver from excellent to exceptional,” Anderson continued. “We hope the community will continue to join in support of this project as we all work together to deliver hope and bright futures to everyone touched by cancer.

For additional information on supporting the Cancer Center, please contact Kay Taylor at (919) 883-6314; kay.taylor2@unchealth.unc.edu.