Before touring the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center on Saturday, Susie Swanson stopped to pose for a photo with her husband, Jim, and their 25-year-old daughter, Sadie.

She held a sign that read Im a cancer survivor.

The Swansons, who drove from Lincoln, were among the more than 2,000 people who toured the cancer center during an open house. Though impressed with the amazing facility, Susie Swanson, 64, said she hopes that she wont have to return more than once a year for her check-up.

She was diagnosed last June with multiple myeloma a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. After chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, her hair has grown back, and shes now on maintenance medication.

I dont want to have to come back here as a cancer patient, Susie Swanson said while walking through the new centers halls. Sadie smiled and replied, But if you do, you have an amazing building to come to.

Saturdays open house offered a chance for the public to see highlights of the $323 million cancer center, a joint venture between the University of Nebraska Medical Center and clinical partner Nebraska Medicine. Visitors admired the variety of art and got to peek inside research labs, waiting areas and the 24/7 treatment center. The center will open to patients June 5.

Theres been a lot of buzz around this project, said medical center spokesman Taylor Wilson. I think people were anxious to see if it was what we told them it would be. From what Ive heard, they are realizing its all they heard about and more.

Susie Swanson said the tour was worth the drive.

Its amazing to have everything a cancer patient might need under one roof, she said.

As the family walked through the Chihuly Sanctuary filled with installations by glass artist Dale Chihuly Sadie Swanson snapped photos, and her mom kept repeating, Wow.

Susie Swanson recalled when she was recovering from her stem cell transplant and her doctor flung open the blinds, saying, You cant get better in the dark.

This place is so cheerful, she said. Its so bright and colorful.

mara.klecker@owh.com, 402-444-1276

Follow this link:
Thousands attend tour of bright, colorful Buffett Cancer Center - Omaha World-Herald