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Stories of hope

Providence Cancer Center "I needed to know, absolutely, that everyone and everything I needed to fight this was right there with me."

Lee Martin, R.N., O.C.N.

Lee Martin knows what it's like to hear the words, “It's cancer.” She says that when she heard them, that the first thing she needed was reassurance. “I needed to know, absolutely, that everyone and everything I needed to fight this was right there with me.”

That meant powerful healing technologies, experienced medical teams and compassionate support the kind of support that she gives her own patients. Today, as the nurse manager of the oncology inpatient unit at Providence Cancer Center at Providence Portland Medical Center, she welcomes patients and their families to a place where their healing comes first.

“I made sure of that when I helped design it. And my patients find that reassuring,” she says. “My own experience as a patient with cancer reinforced for me that everything were doing is the right thing to do even down to the paint colors.”

We took KATU-AM Northwest cameras behind the scenes of the new Providence Cancer Center on the eve of our grand opening.
Matthias Molnar’s mother flew in from Germany to see with her own eyes that her son was getting world-class care — right here in Oregon. Read more
“From that point on, my mom never had a doubt. She knew I was in good hands.”
Darcy Davidson and her husband uprooted their lives in Mexico so that she could be treated at Providence Cancer Center. Read more
“I know what I have is bad, and the treatment is bad. But I want to make it through this.”
Surviving breast cancer meant not only curing the cancer, but also healing spiritually and emotionally. Read more
“Throughout this experience, I've been learning to take care of myself. Each new day presents so many possibilities.”
John Goodwin didn't miss a beat when it came to treating his cancer. Neither did his doctors. Read more
“Do what you need to do to get on with your life - keep living.”
We foster relationships between patients and their doctors in a supportive environment for families. Read more
“I felt like my doctor could see me as a real person. He listened. He cared about my feelings.”
Families have the highest expectations when it comes to the care their loved ones receive. We work hard to earn their trust. Read more
“I knew it had to pass the 'mom test.' Would I want my mom to be cared for here?”
Everything in a patient's room has to be just right. Even down to the perfect chair. Read more
“I have so much personal drive to do the right thing, because I've been through it.”