Thirty-five years after the community of Fargo came together to build the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, philanthropy continues to make progress possible— fueling breakthroughs in research, supporting lifesaving equipment, advancing new treatments, and powering important programs that bring hope, healing and comfort to patients and families when it matters most.
Earlier this month at the Roger Maris Gala, we recognized the history of the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center and celebrated its exciting future, including plans to develop an on-campus lodging facility for cancer patients and their loved ones.
Milestone Moments
See the impact of philanthropy over the years at the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center:
1990 – Roger Maris Cancer Center (RMCC) opened
1990 – Started massage therapy program for cancer patients
1990 – Became a Children’s Oncology Group site for childhood and adolescent research
1990 – Became a National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) site
1990 – Started offering low-dose radiation brachytherapy
1991 – Established the North Dakota Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Center at RMCC
1995 – First endowment created for RMCC
2000 – Meritcare Auxiliary raises funds to purchase new mammography machine
2004 – First RMCC navigator hired
2005 – First center to offer stereotactic radiosurgery treatments for brain tumors in the region
2006 – Treatment unit opened to offer high-dose radiation brachytherapy
2007 – North addition completed, which expanded space for pediatric oncology, pediatric and adult infusion and support services.
2009 – Started the Survivorship program
2010 – Edith Sanford Breast Center opened
2012 – Started a healing arts program for patients
2012 – Remodeled RMCC lobby
2015 – Began integrative health program at RMCC, offering classes in yoga, mindfulness and more
2017 – Added 3rd vault in radiation oncology
2018 – Added 10 more rooms to infusion center at RMCC and expanded infusion center pharmacy
2019 – Launched $15 million Reimagine campaign
2021 – Created Roger Maris All-Star Week, annual weeklong event raising funds for RMCC and awareness for the legacy of Roger Maris
2021 – Launched hematology-oncology fellowship program in partnership with the University of North Dakota
2021 – Started North Dakota’s only blood and bone marrow transplant (BMT) program, offering autologous transplants
2022 – Began offering second phase of BMT program, allogeneic transplants
2022 – Opened RMCC location at Perham Health
2023 – 7S Oncology Team received Sanford Patient Experience Award, given to one department annually across the entire organization
2023 – Launched the third and final phase of the BMT program with CAR T therapy
2023 – Expanded pediatric hematology and oncology clinic and infusion center, nearly doubling capacity for care
2023 – Becker’s Healthcare recognized RMCC as a top 100 oncology program in the United States
2023 – Expanded Perham RMCC location, adding five infusion chairs and additional provider
2024 – Plans unveiled for the Peltier Lodge, an on-campus lodging facility for cancer patients and their loved ones, launched thanks to a transformational lead gift from philanthropist Norma Peltier
2024 – Pediatric Oncology Team received Sanford Patient Experience Impact Award
2024 – Opening Cully’s Cottage, a play area for pediatric patients made possible thanks to the Cullen Children’s Foundation, at RMCC this winter