Oncology

Expansion of oncology services to periphery

Total cost: $857,243 | 50% matching from Clalit – support needed: $428,622

In Israel, 5.4% of the population are treated for cancer. In Haifa and western Galilee 6.1% of the population have cancer, higher than the national average. Haifa treats 50,000+ cancer patients, and the Zebulun Medical Center provides service to oncology patients that is unavailable in any other district and at volumes that are greater than in hospitals in Israel. The Center sees ~35,000 oncology patients annually. Medical service at the Center include chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapy, hormonal treatments, direct pharmacology, and lab services.

Expansion of Oncology Services will give residents of the periphery medical convenience without long wait times. Patients will receive treatment closer to home, in a familial setting, in their community, without the risk of hospital infections. Funds will be used to renovate the clinic and purchase of advanced medical equipment.

Detecting early signs of breast cancer in underserved communities

Total cost: $850,000 | Support needed: $850,000

A mammogram detect early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tools that doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. A study by Brookdale Institute found that mobility significantly reduces gaps between different sectors of society. By making mammography accessible to women of low socioeconomic status and/or living in the periphery, we reduce that gap.

Today, the Jerusalem District has the lowest rate of mammography testing in all of Israel. A mobile unit will administer mammograms to women who live in the greater metropolitan area, including the small surrounding villages. It will serve women who don’t have easy access to transportation and cannot easily reach a women’s clinic.

This mobile unit will significantly increase accessibility. Clalit will expand the number of remote localities where it can perform mammography tests. In small localities, we will also make the service accessible to women who are not Clalit members.

Two Geiger counters for evaluating breast cancer biopsies

Total cost: $28,000 | 50% matching from Clalit – support needed: $14,000

When treating breast cancer, it is standard care to perform lymph node biopsy (sentinel node) to evaluate the extent of the disease. Mapping of the sentinel node is done by injecting a radioactive substance several hours before an operation.

During the procedure, the surgeon uses a Geiger counter to identify and excises the nodes with maximal count. It is safe, with significantly lower rates of complications when compared to removal of all lymph nodes in the armpit. As the screening for and treatment of breast cancer improves, the majority of breast cancer patients are candidates for sentinel node biopsy. This would support two Geiger Counters, one for a large operating room, and one for day hospitalization.

3D imaging tool enhances detection of cancers

Total cost: $150,000 | 50% match from Clalit – support needed: $75,000

Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the BodyVision System provides real-time, intraoperative 3D imaging for tool-in-lesion confirmation prior to and during biopsy to maximize diagnoses. The equipment can be a dedicated intraoperative 3D imaging solution for the detection of lung cancer.

The system also provides a standalone navigational bronchoscopy platform.

Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows doctors look at lungs and air passages. The kit provides exceptional access and maneuverability for an end-to-end solution for navigation bronchoscopy and real-time imaging.