CSC’s new facility will serve as a model for cancer support programs nationwide
(Walnut Creek, CA) – Today, Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC), a local nonprofit dedicated to providing no-cost, comprehensive support to individuals and families affected by cancer, announced plans for a new state-of-the-art cancer support center in the East Bay. As a result of CSC’s extraordinary support and relationships within the community, the nonprofit has already reached 80% of its $25 million capital campaign goal, and recently announced a $5 million anonymous donor match to complete the project by Fall 2025.
“CSC’s existing facility has been a vital resource for more than 30 years, but we need to be prepared to meet the growing number of cancer patients diagnosed every year,” said Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH, Chief Executive Officer, CSC. “The new center will transform supportive care for cancer patients and their families by providing programs in a natural setting that is not only conducive for healing but also a necessary alternative to institutional settings. We’re committed to expanding this model of care where patients, survivors, caregivers, and their families can receive support while being immersed in nature – no one should face cancer in isolation.”
In 2018, CSC was gifted a 6-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Lafayette Reservoir. The beautiful landscape enables the new campus to feature outdoor healing spaces, a community garden, serene walking trails, and an array of services, including a children and teens activity center, spacious classrooms with remote broadcast capabilities, a fully equipped demonstration kitchen, counseling rooms, a vibrant arts room, movement studio, music room, comprehensive library, and specialized treatment rooms for acupuncture and massage.
CSC’s new model of care directly addresses the psychological distress and financial challenges that up to three out of every four1 cancer survivors experience, both of which significantly affect health outcomes and overall quality of life. While local medical centers are responding to the rising number of patients and families affected by cancer, it’s equally crucial to provide robust support beyond the hospital environment. CSC’s dynamic new center is set to redefine the cancer care landscape in the community, offering a holistic approach to healing and recovery in addition to cutting-edge services that break down barriers to care and advance health equity.
“Our community is at the heart of everything we do – from providing help and information to fostering hope and courage throughout the entire cancer experience,” said Donald Duggan, Board President, CSC. “When we were approached by the anonymous donor regarding a $5 million match, everything fell into place. It’s only fitting that this match will allow us to make an even larger impact for our community and those facing cancer in the Bay Area, offering a welcoming and nurturing environment to address the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of cancer that often go unmet by medical care alone.”
To learn more about CSC’s capital campaign and $5 million match, or to donate, please visit: https://cancersupport.net/about-us/new-center/.