The OSF HealthCare Foundation announced two lead fundraising gifts for the Comprehensive Cancer Center to be built on the campus of OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. OSF HealthCare CEO Bob Sehring and his wife, Barb, and Jay and Betty Vonachen and their son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Lesley Vonachen, have each committed to $1 million gifts in support of the campaign. 

“To see the leadership of these two generous families for our Comprehensive Cancer Center campaign fills my heart, and the hearts of all of the Sisters, with joy,” says Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F., Chairperson of the Boards, OSF HealthCare. “[It] shows how invested they are in the importance of this project—which will forever change cancer care throughout the state of Illinois.”

“Barb and I are blessed to be in a position to support this project that will bring the best resources and treatments to those facing a cancer journey,” adds Bob Sehring. “This facility will be a testament to the type of cancer care OSF HealthCare feels is vital for those we serve.”

Jay Vonachen has dedicated five decades of volunteer service to OSF, while Matt Vonachen serves on the OSF HealthCare Foundation board and chairs the Comprehensive Cancer Center Steering Committee. “We want to do our part in bringing this potential life-changing care to a community that means so much to us and our family,” says Matt Vonachen. “This center will help Peoria become a national leader in cancer care.”

The $250 million Comprehensive Cancer Center will be just the second center in Illinois—and one of only 32 in North America—to offer proton beam therapy for patients with hard-to-reach cancers. It will also feature an infusion center and a full range of cancer-related services. The timeline for construction will depend on fundraising efforts, with a goal of providing the first treatments as early as 2023. To learn how you can share this vision, email lanna.m.scannell@osfhealthcare.org or call (309) 566-5662. PM