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HMC 2011 Calendar of Events

A Vision is Now Reality —

The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center hosts grand opening

Savannah, TN, November 3, 2010: Dream and believe were two of the words country music star, Darryl Worley said the good Lord had laid on his heart for him to share with the crowd of over 250 people during the grand opening ceremony of The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center. With no prepared speech, Worley said, “I’ve always been a dreamer. Dreamers are people that see things without boundaries. Dreamers are often the ones who don’t let the red tape and other things get in the way of what they believe can come true. I believe we are going to do great things here and save lives.”

Worley’s dream started when cancer touched his life with the passing of both his grandfathers; one of which chose to drive the long distance to receive treatments and one who chose not to make the trip. With his career in high gear, Worley, along with his foundation, The Darryl Worley Foundation, pledged $600,000 toward the construction of the new cancer treatment center. Believing that the facility would be something it would take his lifetime to see to fruition, Worley is in awe of the community support—both near and far that has rallied together alongside him over the past six years to raise over three quarters of the $2 million dollars needed to make it all happen. “Whether you gave fifty cents or $100,000, you are the reason we are here today,” Worley told the crowd of onlookers. The center is just $225,000 shy of being totally debt-free.

In 2004, Hardin Medical Center (HMC) was experiencing a facelift of their facility when Worley’s manager approached HMC CEO Charlotte Burns with the idea of a new cancer treatment facility. At first she was skeptical, but then after seeing Worley’s passion for the project, she too began to see it as a real possibility that would greatly impact the community they both love.

The momentous occasion that the grand opening afforded began with introductions from CEO Charlotte Burns of the host of guest speakers including Worley’s father Tommy Jack Worley, HMC board chairman Charles Bevis; County and City Mayors Kevin Davis and Bob Shutt respectively, cancer patient Elizabeth (Kay) White, West Tennessee Healthcare’s Chief Operating Officer James Ross, State Representative Vance Dennis, State Senator Dolores Gresham and Darryl Worley. Mrs. Burns recognized several special guests in the audience including Ms. Bonnie Worley, Darryl’s mother; Carl and Alice Kirkland of Jackson; Dr. Jeff Kovalic, radiation oncologist with the Kirkland Cancer Center; Johnny Blakely, U.S. Congress Marsha Blackburn’s field representative; and Ashley, Durham of Adamsville, newly crowned Miss Tennessee USA.

The event was covered by a host of media outlets from television, magazines and newspapers. Attendees enjoyed touring the facility and seeing first hand the state of the art equipment that will provide chemotherapy and radiation therapy services. A thoughtful atmosphere filled The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center as those whose lives or that of their loved ones have been personally touched by cancer in someway got to see first hand the world class facility that is now available so close to home. HMC will be responsible for the chemotherapy services while Kirkland Cancer Center, an affiliate of West Tennessee Healthcare, will be in charge of radiation therapy services.

Throughout the event, Worley mingled among the crowd, along with Hardin Medical Center personnel and Kirkland Cancer Center staff members. Each time Worley spoke about the cancer treatment center named in his honor, his eyes lit up with pride for the community he holds dear that will greatly benefit from having it so close by.

Hardin Countian and Country Music Star, Darryl Worley stands in front of the cancer center named in his honor.

Darryl Worley and HMC CEO, Charlotte Burns admire the Darryl Worley River Run posters that are on display in the cancer treatment center corridor.