Martha Hayward Speaks at Dana-Farber’s Beam Signing Ceremony

Martha Hayward, former Dana-Farber patient and current member its Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), speaks at Dana-Farber’s beam signing ceremony to celebrate the completion of steel framing on the new Yawkey Center for Cancer Care alongside Dana-Farber president Ed Benz and Boston’s Mayor, Tom Menino.

Mayor Menino and Martha Hayward at the Yawkey Center Beam Signing

Following is Martha Hayward’s speech at the DFCI – YCCC beam signing April 14, 2009.

Thank you Dr. Benz-

One of my aha moments when I was coming here regularly for treatment happened one day getting on the elevator on Dana 1.

I held the door open for a family. Dad was in a wheelchair with his 3 yr old daughter on his lap. Mom was pushing one side of the chair with one hand while holding on to a 4 year old with the other hand, and the big brother, maybe eight, was pushing the other side. The chair was jury-rigged to hold a full days worth of food, reading material and entertainment for all ages, as well as entire birthday party set up for one of the kids.

We all see this every day in this place. Family and patients not just making life work, but making life prevail in the face of cancer. This is the place where we learn our diagnosis, undergo our testing, receive our treatment. But it is so much more than a medical facility.

This is the place where we have our last moments before we become cancer patients.

This is the place we never wanted to come to but, strangely, there are days we do not want to leave.

It is here where we search for answers and hope, where we are at our best and at our worst. We bring our family here. We live out our lives here. And we make friends here. This place and the time we are here serves as the fulcrum for life before cancer, and life after cancer.

The leadership of Dana Farber figured out a long time ago that if you want to get something done, ask a cancer patient. They have asked patients and families for ideas on this new building from the start. In 2010 every person who walks through the doors of the Yawkey Center will experience the benefits of that input. As a member of the PFAC I have been involved in some of the planning for the Yawkey Center.

Board Members Magnolia Contreras (left) and Martha Hayward (center) at the Yawkey Center Beam Signing

I didn’t have a lot to say about the set up in the research labs but I definitely spoke up about having easily accessible outlets for charging your cell phone.

This structure and design of this building is a reflection of the dedication to, and respect for, patients and their families, that permeates every decision in this Institute.

Last week I was reading some of the notes written on the beam and I thought how fitting it is to have such tender words written on this massive piece of steel that will be part of the support structure of the new building.

This is what I wrote on the beam:

Being a part of this place I know that I have lived among some of the most innovative and courageous people on earth.

Thank you.

-Martha Hayward