Our Charities

Barbara's Friends

Not long ago, the closest treatment for children with cancer in Southwest Florida was in St. Petersburg or Miami. Barbara’s Friends has bridged that gap. We are dedicated to providing resources to fulfill the treatment and educational needs of our pediatric oncology and hematology patient population and their families at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Our goal is to keep families together and provide local treatment so that these families are able to keep some normalcy in their lives and allow parents to stay physically and emotionally close to their sick child.

Barbara Haskell who lost her life at the young age of 32 to breast cancer is the inspiration and spirit behind her namesake, Barbara’s Friends. After a four-year battle with her illness, Barbara marveled at the bravery of children with cancer. She often wondered how they could cope with the treatments that were sometimes as difficult as the disease itself. After her passing, her parents Betty and Frank Haskell helped make her wish to help children come true by establishing Barbara’s Friends — The Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund. The Barbara’s Friends rainbow logo comes from Barbara’s lifelong love of the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” and its memorable song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Regional Cancer Center

New Regional Cancer Center - NOW OPEN!

Patients fighting cancer and needing additional diagnostic testing can now have both needs met in one location. The new Regional Cancer Center is conveniently located at the Northwest corner of Interstate 75 and Colonial Boulevard and offers some of the most progressive medical consultations, treatments and support-care available today.

The four-story, 62,000 square-foot comprehensive cancer treatment center boasts soothing architectural interiors and an exquisite healing garden with water features, aromatic herbal plants and wandering pathways for solitude and reflection.

The Center opened in October and will be an incredible and important addition to the health care needs of our growing population. The Center’s treatment of both the body and the spirit, with the latest in research and findings, reflects a synergy of medical care. It provides a health care destination point that is unprecedented in Lee County,” remarked Sharon MacDonald, Vice President of Oncology.

The official grand opening for the center took place March 22nd, 2009. In addition to the treatment center, adjacent will be an 80,000-square-foot state-of-the-art diagnostic center. The diagnostic center will include an ambulatory surgery center, breast health center, pain center, diagnostic radiology services and medical offices.

Cancer is the #2 leading cause of death in the United States. In order to ensure the very best in medical care and the highest survival rates possible, we need your support.