Avera Foundation Announces Building Hope Here Campaign for Cancer Center in Yankton

Avera Foundation announces a $7 million fundraising campaign, Building Hope Here, to support an Avera Cancer Institute location offering comprehensive cancer services in Yankton.

“Since our founding more than 125 years ago, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital has benefited from the generous support of Yankton area residents to support quality health care,” said Dzenan Berberovic, Avera Chief Philanthropy Officer. “Already, generous benefactors have stepped forward for this opportunity, helping us reach a significant portion of the goal.”

Larry and Diane Ness of Yankton have set the example through their generous lead gift, which will touch generations of cancer patients and their loved ones. In addition, First Dakota National Bank of Yankton has offered $500,000 in matching funds for community fundraising. “We express our heartfelt thanks to Larry and Diane, as well as First Dakota National Bank, for their leadership in giving. Their support will change lives. Their generosity will help create a state-of-the-art home for the high level of cancer care expertise Avera already offers in Yankton,” Berberovic said.

In July 2024, Avera announced plans to renovate the Avera Surgical Hospital, located on the Avera Fox Run Health Campus, to create a new Avera Cancer Institute location in Yankton.

When this $17 million project is complete, Avera Cancer Institute in Yankton will offer medical oncology, radiation oncology, chemotherapy infusion, clinical research, genetic counseling and other support services.

“We are excited to bring hope and comfort to those living with a cancer diagnosis by creating a new home for comprehensive cancer services in Yankton,” said Janna Binder, Clinic Manager of Avera Cancer Institute in Yankton. “Along with our providers and staff, this one-stop facility for oncology services will streamline the patient experience and offer the highest quality cancer care, right here in Yankton.”

Currently, cancer services are split between two locations. The Avera Cancer Institute, located on West Ninth Street, offers radiation oncology. Meanwhile, medical oncology, hematology and chemo infusion services are at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.

Bringing all cancer services into one location will align the Yankton center with Avera’s oncology locations in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre and Sioux Falls, SD, and Marshall, MN, ensuring that patients receive the same, consistent experience. Avera Cancer Institute’s six regional centers and dozens of outreach and telemedicine sites make up the only accredited cancer care network in the region, with accreditations from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (COC) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI).

With plans for construction to begin in May, renovation of the former Avera Surgical Hospital includes installation of a new linear accelerator that features custom delivery techniques to tailor radiation procedures with highly precise beams. The center will also feature infusion suites, pharmacy, laboratory, meditation room, wig salon and more natural light.

The new Avera Cancer Institute will also contain more robust telemedicine services, which will include access to genetic counseling and outpatient oncology mental health counseling. This equipment will allow health care professionals from other locations to assist patients in Yankton, and will also allow caregivers in Yankton to better serve area rural communities. Additionally, it is anticipated that this arrangement will offer expanded access to clinical trials.

Sheila Kuchta, Regional Director of Philanthropy, will lead the Building Hope Here Campaign alongside co-chairs, Kyle and Kristi Tacke of Yankton. Kristi, a cancer survivor, was instrumental in establishing the New Look, Same You program in Yankton that provides free wig fitting services to cancer patients. “We are grateful for the lead gifts already established which create a solid foundation to build upon. Yet we still need local support for this campaign to finish well, and we look forward to joining with the wonderful people of the Yankton area to make a lasting impact on local cancer services,” said Kyle Tacke.

Learn more or donate at AveraFoundation.org/BuildingHopeHere