The Gift of Having Prestigious Cancer Care in Your Back Yard 

For Alan Rose and his wife Janice, having an expert and compassionate Cancer Care facility in their backyard was everything.

Alan would have never guessed on his own that he had cancer. He had zero pain and zero symptoms. After his yearly physical with Dr. Stephen Finney, a spike in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) sent Alan for an ultrasound that would leave him with results of a large mass between his pancreas and his liver. That is when he met Dr. Susan Kim and the care team at Southcoast Health Cancer Care in Fairhaven.

“Being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is an experience I never hope to go through again, but it was nice to have my team there,” explains Alan.

From the very beginning, Alan and Janice found comfort in the way every team member made sure their questions were answered. 

“Every single nurse and caregiver was exceptional,” Janice says. “Whenever Alan sees Dr. Kim, she has a smile on her face. She’s warm, personable, and truly cares.”

As a caregiver, Janice also found reassurance in the support systems available. With 24/7 access to resources and someone always available to answer their questions, they never felt alone during a difficult time. 

Grateful for the care they received, Alan and Janice chose to give back. They approached Dr. Kim about making an additional donation to enhance the patient experience. Their gift helped provide a TV for patients and a microwave for patient areas, making small but meaningful improvements for both patients and staff. 

“For us, it’s the little things that made a big difference,” they shared. “We wanted to return the favor in any way we could.”  

Today, they remain deeply thankful — not only for the care Alan received, but for having such a high caliber of care just minutes from home. “We’re incredibly lucky to have this kind of facility right in our backyard. It’s only a 10-minute drive — but it means everything to not have to commute to Boston for specialized patient-centered care.”

You can make an impact and become a Grateful Patient by visiting Grateful Patient – Southcoast Health.