Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology has increased the comfort level for its patients with seven new top-of-the-line chemotherapy chairs, purchased with a $30,000 gift from Vera Bradley.

As we treat people with chemotherapy, making them comfortable is paramount,” says Dan Konow, chief operating officer for Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology.

These new chairs are luxury-class chairs that feature heat and massage,” Konow continues. “Some patients may be in a chemotherapy chair for up to eight hours during a single treatment, and because of the nature of intravenous chemotherapy, many people tend to feel cold. We provide blankets, of course, but these new chairs really add an extra element of comfort. Many of our other chemotherapy chairs have built-in TVs and DVD players, but an increasing number of patients now request the new chairs because of the heat and massage features.

Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology has added three of the new chairs to its facility on the Parkview North campus, while the remaining four are at the practice’s facility on the Lutheran Hospital campus.

Of course, we’re very appreciative that Vera Bradley donated the money that’s enabling us to provide a little more comfort to our patients as they face the challenges of cancer and diseases of the blood,” Konow says.

Nemschoff, the company that makes the chairs, donates a portion of the proceeds from their sale to cancer-related causes.