2 Friends Concert Tour on October 5, 2011 - Bismarck Cancer Center

2
Ken Dykes
Executive Director
Bismarck Cancer Center
We do not treat
statistics, and we do
not treat prostates,
lungs, breasts, colons,
or other cancer sites.
Instead, we treat
people with cancers
at those sites.
Administrative Note
ARE YOU IN THAT NUMBER?
I was privileged to recently attend a conference on evangelism led by Father Bill Miller, a very
dynamic Episcopal priest from Hawaii. Among other things, Father Miller mentioned his concern
about our society’s fixation on statistics and numbers. He pointed out that statistics and numbers
are nameless, faceless things which do not automatically conjure up the real live human beings they
represent, and that this results in a loss in understanding which is indeed a tragedy. Every human
being has a moving story. His or her life is filled to overflowing with drama that, at times, can rival a
Shakespearean play. We’re not all heroes or heroines, and sometimes our lives are nearer to soap
operas than Shakespeare, but our stories are lived out a breath at time in all manners of
circumstances and not infrequently with an impact on countless others. If we are to be
compassionate and caring in the way we lead our lives, we must be aware that the numbers are first
people, like ourselves, whose stories matter and deserve to be told and celebrated.
Let me give you an example. It’s one thing to say that here at Bismarck Cancer Center we treat an
average of about 40 patients a day. But when I tell you something about the people represented by
those numbers, the statistics take on a whole new meaning – there’s the young, single mother
afflicted with an aggressive brain tumor who’s been working two jobs to raise three kids and is now
having to face a very fragile and uncertain future alone; there’s the single truck driver with
extremely limited resources who is struggling with colon cancer while he faces the possible loss of
his job; there’s the gifted and beloved teacher who, over a long and distinguished career, has
dedicated her life toward the education and welfare of thousands of grade school children and now
struggles physically and emotionally with a breast tumor. The numbers and statistics are important,
but it is the people and the stories behind the numbers that are so much more important.
Those of us involved in the care and treatment of persons afflicted with cancer have a special duty
to ensure that we clearly see each person as an individual with unique concerns and specialized
needs. I believe that we are called to make a personal investment of our time, talent, and interest in
each person whose care and treatment is entrusted to us. We do not treat statistics, and we do not
treat prostates, lungs, breasts, colons, or other cancer sites. Instead, we treat people with cancers at
those sites.
That’s the commitment I ask every day of each BCC physician and staff member. As a cancer
survivor, I know the difference that such an approach can make to the patient. During the course of
my own treatment, it was necessary for me to travel to a major medical center located out-of-state.
While there, I had to undergo a number of procedures. On two occasions, the ancillary services staff
referred to me as the “colon case” as they communicated among themselves. It was as if I wasn’t in
the room, and it was clear that nobody seemed to be aware or even care that I was a fragile human
being who hurt,who was miserable and homesick and afraid ...It wasn’t a good feeling!
I’ve often said that I don’t want anyone working at BCC who doesn’t have a personal sense of
mission to care for those afflicted with cancer. Working here isn’t a job – it’s a “calling.” The people
we are privileged to serve deserve the very best we are able to offer in terms of state-of-the-art
technology and professional care provided in a warm, compassionate, and supportive environment.
That’s our vision at the Bismarck Cancer Center and we work hard to make it a reality. How do we
measure up? Well, according to our patient satisfaction surveys, pretty darned good. I don’t know
that we can be perfect, but I do believe with all of my heart that we are called to make every effort
possible, and to utilize every resource at our disposal, to consistently do the very best job we can to
benefit each and every patient.
Which brings me to a word of thanks. Because of folks like you, who assist us with their time,
talent, and resources, we are consistently able to do more and better things for more and more
people in need of our services. It’s our solemn promise to you that we will not take our responsibility
to care for our patients or our opportunity to be of service lightly, that we will consistently endeavor
to provide the very best and most compassionate services possible to our patients, and that we will
always see each of them as unique individuals meriting the very best in specialized and personal
care.
Thanks again for your support of the Bismarck Cancer Center! May God bless us each and every
one!