MOULTRIE, Ga.—The Edwards Cancer Center is set to open its doors Friday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. and will begin receiving patients Monday, Feb. 19.

Planning for the project began in 2015 and a capital campaign was launched in 2016 by the Colquitt Regional Medical Foundation, according to a press release provided by the hospital’s marketing director, Emily Watson.

Named after Bill Edwards, the facility received a signature donation from the Edwards family, and employees were able to give through the hospital’s in-house giving program.

“The Foundation is what launched the campaign to raise the money,” said Colquitt Regional Medical Foundation Director Nicole Gilbert. “In the midst of the campaign, our employees were the lead donors and gave $250,000 while the volunteers gave $100,000.”

Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney said that when Edwards went through his treatments at the hospital, he had to go through the main parts of the hospital, passing by the cafeteria on his way upstairs to the third floor where the current oncology department is located.

This inconvenience prompted the hospital to create a facility with drop-off services at the door. The hospital wanted to keep patients from having to go through the main part of the hospital.

The need for a facility has been a long time coming as Colquitt Regional Medical Center has been providing oncology services for 25 years. “The service isn’t new, the facility is,” said Gilbert.

In addition to providing oncology services, the Edwards Cancer Center will provide infusion services as well, providing services for patients that aren’t necessarily dealing with a cancer related issue.

“We hope that everyone will come out on Friday and join us,” said Matney. “The Edwards Cancer Center belongs to this community and was only possible because of the generous contributions of the Edwards family and many other local donors. We are so very thankful for everyone who partnered with us to make this a reality.”