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SALT LAKE CITY — Primary Children's Hospital is celebrating the opening of a new space focused on children with cancer and blood disorders.
The Sorenson Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, which doubles the size of the previous hematology and oncology clinic, was made possible through an $18 million gift from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation and the Joseph and Kathleen Sorenson Legacy Foundation. It has large private rooms and will allow for treatments using "cutting-edge research and technologies," according to a news release from the hospital.
The area even has an outer space theme and decor that is perfect for young aspiring astronauts like 12-year-old Miller Beard.
Miller was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. His mom, Kassi Beard, said she took her son to the doctor after he started experiencing pain in his legs, exhaustion and had a slightly gray tint to his complexion. After some blood tests, the doctor sent him to Primary Children's for a blood transfusion to treat his severe anemia, and he was later diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
"I had to ask, 'You're saying my son has cancer?'" Kassi Beard said the release. "In the nurse's reply is where I first heard the word 'leukemia' attach itself forever to my son."
Miller has been undergoing cancer treatments at Primary Children's ever since. He was treated at least weekly and sometimes every other day over the first year.
"Miller was admitted to the hospital eight times and underwent 20 lumbar punctures. Through it all, he kept his sense of humor and regularly teased the doctors and nurses by surprising them with rubber snakes and telling dad jokes," the release says.
He completed his treatment plan in June, and his goal is now "'keeping cancer away,' so he can grow up and become an astronaut."
Cheryl Gerdy, clinical operations director of oncology at Primary Children's Hospital, said patients and families like the Beards have enjoyed the engaging and calming design of the new space.
"The healing environment is critical to all children, particularly kids with cancer, who often spend months at a time in the hospital and need as much comfort and normalcy as possible. The Sorensons have helped to bring just that to our patients, and we couldn't be more grateful for their generosity," she said.
Intermountain Health is seeking to create the nation's model health care system for children, and this stride in cancer care is one step towards that goal.
"When our family learned of Primary Promise's effort to improve pediatric cancer care, we knew this was how we could make a lasting difference," said Christine Harris, Sorenson Legacy Foundation Board member.
Harris said the foundation wants to "help kids continue being kids" while they are being treated for and healing from cancer, and they are honored with the partnership with the hospital.
The center has nine private infusion rooms, where the previous area had only curtains providing privacy. Each room has an infusion chair, heat and massage options, a TV with video games and movies, and space for a family member to accompany them.
Seventeen outpatient clinic exam rooms in the center are twice the size of the old rooms and contain a comfortable exam table that can be converted into a chair.
The hospital's previous hematology and oncology clinic is now an expanded neonatal intensive care unit.
