TIFTON — Cancer patients in the Tiftarea now have a new, more efficient and more comfortable facility to help ease their burden.

Tift Regional Medical Center unveiled its new Oncology Center Thursday during an open house.

Located at 1623 Madison Avenue near TRMC, the new center centralizes radiation therapy and chemotherapy services at one location, making the trip for patients who need both services much easier.

“The biggest thing we tried to keep in mind was the ease of access for the patients,” said Ruth Lee, TRMC’s Director of Oncology Services. “Chemotherapy used to be on the first floor but now it’s with the radiation and oncology services and that makes it much easier.”

The project included expansion — about 9,592 square feet of additional space — and renovation. The center now totals over 17,000 square feet.

There is a new Community Room that can be used for support groups, American Cancer Society meetings, tumor registry meetings and educational classes among other things. And a new cancer resource library will help cancer patients and their families and the general public have access to computers, books, videos and pamphlets to research cancer topics. There is also a new garden setting with a running brook for patients to enjoy while undergoing chemotherapy.

“There are all kinds of things that can help answer questions,” Lee said. “We’ve tried to make the garden very peaceful and calm. The (TRMC) Foundation provided the funding for that and I think it’s going to be really popular.”

Lee added that there is also a laboratory on the site which will help cut down on the time it takes for patients’ bloodwork to be done.