Burien Mayor Joan McGilton will cut the ribbon to officially open the American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Center at Highline Cancer Center at noon on Tuesday, May 22.

An open house and tours of the Cancer Resource Center will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Highline Cancer Center, at 16233 Sylvester Rd. S.W., is located on Highline Medical Center's main campus in Burien.

Located in the Wellness Center of Highline Cancer Center, the Cancer Resource Center is a cooperative service of Highline Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society for anyone touched by cancer.

This year, according to representatives of the American Cancer Society and Highline Cancer Center, nearly 32,000 people in Washington state will receive a diagnosis of cancer.

Regardless of the type of cancer or the prognosis, fear, uncertainty and questions will arise. Patient questions include: What are my treatment options? Do I have the strength for this? What about my family?

Physicians can address the medical concerns. However, questions like how to connect with other cancer patients, how to deal with insurance coverage, or where to find help with things like childcare, home health or transportation can be overwhelming.

While there is no instruction manual on how to survive the physically and emotionally rocky path of cancer, the Cancer Resource Center, staffed by volunteers, can guide cancer patients and their families through the challenging terrain of a cancer diagnosis.

The American Cancer Society trains volunteers.

"The collaboration between Highline and the American Cancer Society allows us to expand on one another's services and provide exceptionally comprehensive support," said Rachel Kirk, executive director of the American Cancer Society's Quality of Life program in the Puget Sound Region,

Dyanne Lane, director of Highline Cancer Center, added, "It is very challenging for any one organization to provide all the support services patients may need.

"The American Cancer Society has a unique set of supportive resources that complement the services we provide at Highline, partnering with them really supports our vision of providing everything a patient could need - from treatment, to support - in one place."

Kay Workman, one of several volunteers ready to help those who visit the Cancer Resource Center, is an eight-year survivor of breast cancer.

Workman understands how important support and information can be for cancer patients and their families.

"The list of resources available through Highline and the American Cancer Society is endless," she said, "and there are so many things that a lot of people don't realize are available to them."

Volunteers are trained extensively on the physical and emotional effects of cancer and how to connect patients, families and caregivers with the services they need.

"We don't want anyone to feel like they're going through cancer alone," explained Kirk. "Our goal is to make sure that patients and those who care about them are being fully supported right from the beginning."

"Cancer affects every aspect of a person's life including spiritual, physical and financial, and it puts a strain on all of their resources," Lane observed.

"Volunteers at the Cancer Resource Center help augment the support people already have and connect them with anything they might be missing, whether it's a support group, the right wig or a ride to treatment."

The volunteers located at Cancer Resource Center are available to help anyone in the community who has been touched by cancer Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you or someone you know has been affected by cancer and could use some support and guidance, please contact Highline Cancer Center at 206-439-5577.

Persons interested in being a volunteer navigator may contact Highline Volunteer Services at 206-988-5767.