Vandalia Health proudly announces the installation of new state-of-the-art infusion chairs at facilities across the state, thanks to a generous $150,000 donation from the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment. The upgraded chairs, designed with built-in heat and massage functions, are already enhancing the patient experience by providing exceptional comfort during infusion treatments, which can often last up to six hours.
Facilities receiving new infusion chairs are:
- Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center: 12 chairs
- Vandalia Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital: 6 chairs
- Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center: 8 chairs
- Vandalia Health CAMC Cancer Center – Beckley: 18 chairs
“Our new infusion chairs are already making a tremendous difference. For patients receiving infusions, staying warm has historically involved the use of warm blankets. Our new, heated chairs now provide a much-needed layer of comfort, eliminating the need for multiple blankets and creating a more soothing treatment environment. Additionally, the massage functionality offers relaxation during prolonged sessions,” said Lisa Songer, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. “We are thrilled with the positive feedback we’ve received from our patients thus far and are so incredibly grateful to Coach Bob Huggins and the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment Fund for making these chairs a reality at our hospital.”
Annual events hosted by Little General Stores Inc., including the “Bob Huggins Fish Fry” in Morgantown and “Evening with Bob Huggins” in Beckley, secured funding for the new infusion chairs.
“Supporting our community has always been a core value for the Little General Stores family,” said Greg Darby, President of Little General Stores Inc. “By partnering with Bob Huggins at our events in Morgantown and Beckley, we aim to ease the burden on patients and their families, allowing them to receive treatment comfortably and close to home.”
On May 24, 2003, Norma Mae Huggins, mother of longtime college basketball coach Bob Huggins, passed away after a long battle with colon cancer. In her memory, Bob Huggins established the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment. The Endowment supports patient care and clinical cancer research that targets many types of the disease that are common among residents of the Mountain State. West Virginia has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the nation.
The Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment partnered with Vandalia Health in 2024 to enhance cancer care across West Virginia and the surrounding border service areas. Funding from the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment advances the development of services, clinical and academic education, equipment and technology, and the deployment of advanced care across Vandalia Health facilities.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment for this transformative contribution,” said Regan Siko, Director, Oncology Service Line, Mon Health System. “These chairs are more than just an upgrade; they represent our shared commitment to improving the care and comfort of our patients throughout our state during what can often be a challenging time.”
For information about cancer care across Mon Health System, visit www.MonHealth.com/Cancer.
For information about cancer care across Davis Health System, visit www.DavisHealthSystem.org/Locations/Cancer-Care-Center.
For information about cancer care across CAMC Health System, visit www.camc.org/Cancer.
