Southern Ocean Medical Center Auxiliaries pledge $2.5 million to support purchase of TrueBeam linear accelerator

The Auxiliaries at Southern Ocean Medical Center recently announced their pledge to raise $2.5 million that will support the purchase of a TrueBeam™ linear accelerator, the most advanced radiation therapy technology, for the hospital. The announcement was made at Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation's Signature Social fundraising event on July 10 at Bonnet Island Estate.

The new TrueBeam linear accelerator is one of the key components of a tremendous cancer center expansion taking place at Southern Ocean Medical Center and across Meridian Health. A multi-million dollar transformation of cancer services will soon begin at the Manahawkin-based medical center, which is part of Meridian's $128 million investment to bring a higher level of care close to home by enhancing cancer services in Ocean and Monmouth counties.

"The support of the Auxiliaries and community has been at the heart of the Medical Center since its inception," says Joseph Coyle, president of Southern Ocean Medical Center. "The auxiliaries' pledge to support our cancer care initiative with this state-of-the-art technology is a tremendous commitment and an exciting way to kick-off the project. We are truly grateful for their support and generosity."

TrueBeam is an image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system used to treat cancer with speed and accuracy, while avoiding healthy tissues and organs. The system rotates around the body to deliver radiation therapy from almost any angle and provides real-time imaging, which allows the physician to direct doses of radiation with greater accuracy. Meridian Cancer Care at Southern Ocean Medical Center plans to add the linear accelerator to its expanded cancer center that will open in the Spring of 2016, with the new technology being installed and operational by the end of the year.

The four Auxiliary chapters; the Boosters, Holly, Laurel, and SOCH, represent the long standing commitment of individuals, whose tireless efforts predate Southern Ocean Medical Center. For more than four decades, the groups have been actively supporting the hospital by operating resale shops, the hospital's Bird Cage Gift Shop, and numerous social and fundraising activities. With a collective membership of more than 600 volunteers, the results of their fundraising has impacted virtually every expansion project since the hospital's inception in 1972.

"The enthusiasm you find while working with the Auxiliaries is unmatched," shares Tom Dolan, chairman of the Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation. "The four Auxiliary chapters put in endless hours with passionate drive, knowing their hard work is directly impacting the availability of advanced health care, close to home. It's truly inspiring."