The Catalyst Issue 27 | May 2017 | Page 15

Rock campaign, including million goal early,” Mr. Maher individuals, corporations, says, “and we’ve continued civic clubs, and family fundraising from there.” foundations, recognize the The cancer center will be need for a comprehensive located on the ground floor cancer center in the region. of the four-story specialty “The community responded clinic being constructed on to and supported us,” he says. the campus of Baylor Scott One of those donors is Mr. & White Medical Center - Burdett’s neighbor, Merle Round Rock. It will serve Mueller of Georgetown’s Sun the needs of patients in the City. Mr. Mueller, a retired Round Rock-Austin area, one aeronautical engineer, made of the nation’s fastest-growing a gift to the campaign in population centers. When the memory of his wife, Wanda, population rises, the demand who was treated for cancer at for cancer care also increases, Wanda Mueller understood the importance of a Baylor Scott & White and Mr. Maher says. The area peaceful retreat during cancer treatment, a need that died in November 2014. The had 6,620 new cancer cases will be met in the healing garden at the new cancer cancer center’s new healing in 2016, or the equivalent of center through Mr. Mueller’s gift in her memory. garden will be named in 18 new diagnoses a day. It’s her honor. expected that the number of Previously, the Muellers were active new cancer diagnoses will proportionally seek care closer to home but outside in raising funds for the existing healing outpace the population growth, in line the Baylor Scott & White system. garden at the Round Rock hospital. with nationwide trends, he says. Mr. Mueller says his wife understood “This area is experiencing A healing gift to help others tremendous growth, and it’s our job “Traveling for radiation treatment can its benefits. “She knew it would be to take care of the people in our be a burden, especially when patients good for people with cancer to have community,” says Mr. Maher. have to go to Austin,” says Tom Burdett. the healing garden for recuperation The 35,000-square-foot cancer He and his wife, Carlie, are co-chairs of and enjoyment.” Mr. Mueller is proud to be part of center will bring together under one the cancer center campaign. “It’s not roof all aspects of cancer care—medical that far distance-wise,” Mr. Burdett the cancer center campaign. “It does my oncology, radia