LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A proposed Senate invoice goals to reform healthcare in Nevada and fund the development of a multimillion-dollar clinic in Clark County that can serve each kids and adults.
“It’s time for Nevada to take care of our kids,” Eric Ballew mentioned.
Ballew’s son, Tyler, was each an athlete and a devoted scholar. At simply 11 years previous, he was identified with melanoma. Whereas uncommon in kids, the Nationwide Most cancers Institute notes that melanoma is the most typical type of pores and skin most cancers amongst youngsters on this age group.
“After school, we’d pick him up, we’d come down here to this park [and] play kickball,” Ballew mentioned. “I miss him.”
After a two-year battle and receiving the absolute best care, Ballew shared that Tyler handed away in December 2022 at simply 13 years previous. On the day he died, Ballew mentioned they had been on their method from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for most cancers therapy, however they didn’t make it.
“We pulled right outside of Baker,” Ballew mentioned. “We are losing Nevada kids on the interstate – traveling to and from treatment because we currently don’t have the treatment options here.”
The Ballew household is simply one of many many who traveled out of state to get therapy. Now, they’re for a proposed invoice that would enhance entry to most cancers providers in Nevada.
Senate Invoice 212 would permit a hospital referred to as Metropolis of Hope to open a $50 million most cancers clinic in Clark County. Republican State Senator Jeff Stone sponsors the invoice.
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“What we don’t have in Nevada is a research-oriented top 5 oncology center ranked in the world and the City of Hope is certainly one of those,” Stone mentioned.
The invoice additionally proposes a partnership with the Metropolis of Hope and UNLV’s Kirk Kerkorian Faculty of Drugs to facilitate scientific coaching for medical college students.
“Comprehensive cancer centers are almost always affiliated with a medical school,” Physician Marc J. Kahn mentioned.
Kahn is the chief at UNLV’s Faculty of Drugs, and he mentioned complete most cancers facilities present the best high quality of care, and it is what Nevada wants and deserves.
Kahn mentioned the closest complete most cancers heart to Nevada is the Metropolis of Hope in California. 8 Information Now did attain out to Metropolis of Hope, however they didn’t touch upon the invoice on the time this story aired.
The Ballews shared that Tyler was not receiving therapy on the Metropolis of Hope; they only hope their story helps improve entry to most cancers care in Nevada.
A listening to for SB 212 has not but been scheduled.
