MORGANTOWN — The physicians in their white coats under that white pavilion in Evansdale didn’t mind it one bit when Erin Dunmire proved them wrong Thursday afternoon.
In fact, they gave her a rousing round of applause.
Dunmire, who is a director of guest services at WVU Medicine, was handed a death sentence in 2011.
She was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive, fast-moving cancer that sets up shop in the brain and stays there.
Those diagnosed are generally given only weeks or months to live at best, and Dunmire was reeling.
But only briefly, she said.
She decided she was going to stay home — at WVU’s medical campus in Evansdale — to fight.
Thursday afternoon, she was the featured speaker at the event that unveiled a $13.2 million remodel of the WVU Cancer Institute, which treats patients from across the region who suffer from all forms of that dread disease.
Gov. Jim Justice and Dr. Ned Sharpless, the director of the National Cancer Institute, were among the attendees at the gathering to celebrate the makeover.
The remodel includes an additional 34,600 square feet of space, eight new treatment rooms and nine procedure rooms.
Infusion services — chemotherapy — have also been expanded, along with the in-house pharmacy.
Add another 39 exam rooms and new lobby and registration area that is also warm and inviting, with televisions, carpet and comfortable seating.
Dr. Richard Goldberg, who directs the WVU Cancer Institute, said the remodeling is wrapped up in the mission.
“As the cancer burden in the state grows, we have to find ways to continue providing the highest level of care available,” Goldberg said, as he spoke under that pavilion next the institute on the sunny, fall day.
“We have the dedicated space to new technologies while improving patient care experience,” he said.
“Together, today, we have our feet on the accelerator.”
West Virginia’s governor picked up on that image as he considered the work the institute does within the state’s borders.
Before, Justice said, the only other accelerator involved was the one attached to the car that carried a patient out of state for treatment.
That meant, he said, a person with a scary diagnosis and the prospect of going through a grueling treatment alone, might opt to not take on the fight as Dunmire did.
“Cancer touches us all,” he said, after his remarks.
“What this university is doing is unbelievable. It’s all happening right here.”
Seven years ago, in 2011, it was happening right here for Dunmire.
Her tumor was found that Jan. 12.
After an unsatisfying foray to a hospital in Pittsburgh for a second opinion, she came back to Morgantown for surgery.
On Valentine’s Day that year, she underwent her first round of chemotherapy.
All at WVU, she said.
“Seven years and nine months,” she said, at that podium while people applauded.
Dunmire had to stop and gather herself for a moment.
“OK,” she said, as her voice quavered. “I’ve been blessed.”
Tweet @DominionPostWV. Email jbissett@dominionpost.com.
