State Employees' Credit Union members have once again demonstrated the value of credit unions by helping make a new cancer center in Western North Carolina a reality.

The Raleigh-based credit union's SECU Foundation has donated $5 million to Mission Hospital to complete construction on a new multi-level, 120,000 square-foot cancer center.

Named the SECU Cancer Center, it will house all outpatient cancer services in one location and, through an established partnership between Mission Cancer Program and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, will provide locals access to research projects, clinical trials and the latest treatment options. The facility is slated to open in early 2012.

According to SECU Foundation Board Chair Shirley Bell, the donation marks the foundation's largest gift to date.

“We are trying to do projects across the state that can be duplicated in other areas,” said Shirley Bell, chairwoman of the SECU Foundation board. “We are helping all citizens in the state by this center being here and we look forward to the completion of this wonderful facility.”

The SECU Foundation is a 501c(3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members that promotes local community development in North Carolina through high impact projects in the areas of education, health and human services.