MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — With cancer diagnoses on the rise each year, the Sarah Bush Lincoln Regional Cancer Center is stepping up its efforts to provide comprehensive care throughout Central Illinois. This growing demand has highlighted the urgent necessity for expanding their facilities.

The center’s director underscored the importance of this expansion, noting the significant increase in patient visits. In 2020, the center managed 25,000 visits, but this year, they are anticipating nearly 47,000. This surge has propelled the center to rapidly advance its expansion plans.

“Our parking lot is usually full by 9 or 9:30 in the morning,” remarked Natasha Deters, Director of the Regional Cancer Center.

Deters explained that the center has experienced a notable rise in patient numbers over the past five years, partially due to Sarah Bush Lincoln’s outreach into new counties across Central Illinois.