THE BAPTIST HEALTH Foundation has already raised $10.3 million of its $15 million goal to benefit Baptist Cancer Services.

These funds are allowing Baptist to undertake several projects to benefit cancer patients receiving treatment at the hospital.

Due to the funds already raised, the hospital’s cancer services have been moved to a single building next door to the main hospital, according to a press release.

Another major component of the upcoming improvements will be the renovation of an existing property off of Manship Street to create a family lodge for Baptist Cancer Services.

The future lodge, a former medical office building, will provide housing for cancer patients and their families who do not live in the Jackson area. It will contain a community kitchen, children’s playroom, meeting room, resource library, laundry room and other amenities.

Patients receiving treatment and their families will also have the use of a garden that will soon be under construction.

The garden, which will be named the Serenity Garden, will be located next to the Hederman Cancer Center and will be a private, outdoor area accessible from the center for patients and families to enjoy.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE garden will be starting at the end of October, and hospital officials hope that it will be completed by the spring of 2007, according to Baptist Spokesperson Robby Channell.

The Baptist Health Foundation, launched this fund-raising project in 2002, with the public campaign being kicked off in 2003 when former President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara Bush toured Baptist Cancer Services.

The Bushes also spoke at a fund-raising luncheon that brought in $1.1 million to the campaign.

Baptist employees have chipped in as well, donating approximately $400,000 in funds for the family lodge and serenity garden. The Gertrude C. Ford Foundation has also donated $100,000 toward the lodge.

Most recently, the Jim Payne Family Foundation donated an undisclosed amount of money to the campaign. And Seattle Drip, which has a location inside the Baptist facility, will be donating a portion of its profits from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day in October, said Channell.

The Baptist Auxiliary and its members have provided gifts for the hospital’s Hederman Cancer Center such as a second floor lobby, prayer room, and a water sculpture and an arbor for the garden.

In total, at least 15 people or organizations have made a donation of over $100,000 and at least 650 people or organizations have made donations of up to $100, said Jim Moore, vice president and chief development officer for Baptist Health Systems, in a previous interview.

The public can now make donations to the campaign online, at ww.mbhs.org/foundation.

Baptist Cancer Services treats patients from 71 of the 82 counties of Mississippi.