By Jeanne Willard

Staff writer

VOLUSIA COUNTY - A diagnosis of cancer is devastating enough, but navigating the journey to wellness through a myriad of medical specialists and tests can be especially challenging.

When cancer patient Robert Grenon's primary care doctor referred him to a specialist at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, he assumed that was the place he had to go for care.

At 86, it soon became clear that the 90-mile commute for treatment was not practical.

"I could see that wasn't going to work out at all," he said.

Another doctor led him to Dr. Christopher Windham, whose Ormond Beach office is more convenient. The staff helped him with the coordination of his care, he said, something that would be difficult to accomplish on his own.

"That was the best thing that happened for me," Mr. Grenon said.

A recent Florida Hospital Memorial Foundation event featuring the Beach Boys, raised funds for a planned Regional Oncology Center that officials say would streamline treatment for patients such as Mr. Grenon.

"It's very complicated and people often get overwhelmed," said Dr. Windham, surgical oncologist and foundation board member. "There are many steps involved."

In addition to various medical tests, cancer treatment involves coordination between physicians, Dr. Windham said, including the patient's primary care doctor, oncologist, surgeon, radiologist, gastroenterologist and other specialists.

"The nearest comprehensive cancer center is more than two hours away in all directions," he said.

Cancer specialists such as those on the multi-disciplinary team at Florida Hospital's own accredited Cancer Institute are available in Volusia County, Dr. Windham said. What's lacking is a coordinated system under one roof.

To address that need, plans are underway to create a regional oncology center at the new Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial campus that would provide state-of-the-art services at one location.

The 245-bed hospital replacement facility is scheduled to open next summer and officials are targeting 2010 for the oncology center.

The foundation's recent Coastal Gala brought 650 supporters together to raise funds for the project.

Among those attending the event at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort was Ormond Beach Mayor Fred Costello.

Mr. Costello said the opportunity to see one of his favorite bands while supporting a local hospital proved to be an irresistible draw.

"I'm a fan of Memorial Hospital and the foundation does some awesome things," he said. "They are just great community supporters."

Founding Beach Boy Mike Love and band veteran Bruce Johnston took the audience on a nostalgic trip through the California surf culture of the sixties with hits such as "Good Vibrations," "Help Me Rhonda," "I Get Around," "Be True to Your School," "Little Deuce Coupe," "Barbara Ann," "Wouldn't it be Nice," "Surfin' Safari" and "Surfin' USA."

At 67, Mr. Love is likely a peer to many in the audience that night; however he teased the group about being too subdued.

"Everybody is a little bit sedate tonight," he said at one point, offering to play a medley of hits by Barry Manilow and Perry Como.

That reserve was cracked when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member invited the crowd to wave their open cell phones to the beat of "Little Surfer Girl," creating dancing dots of light around the darkened room.

By the end of the nearly two-hour concert, a conga line was snaking its way around the room and the audience was on its feet singing along with the final song; "Fun, Fun, Fun."