This is a tough review to write, because if you need to visit the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center…read more(VLCC), that likely means that you are a cancer patient or a close acquaintance of a patient. I'm actually one of the more fortunate visitors to VLCC because I don't have a cancer diagnosis -- I visit every six weeks to receive an infusion of a biologic drug as part of a treatment for Crohn's disease. With that said, if you do need to visit the VLCC, you will find yourself in extremely capable, compassionate hands. The nurses and staff go the extra mile (and then go a few more miles) to ensure that you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible during your visit. They care about every one of their patients and always treat each and every one as an individual. The VLCC can be a little tough to find -- it is located on the lower level of Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center. If your appointment is on a weekday, just ask any St. Luke's employee and they will direct you to the Center (or on occasion even walk you there). Despite being on the lowest level, there are windows in the main infusion room which let in natural light. The Center features hardwood floors and a warm paint scheme, which further reenforces a relaxing environment. The infusion chairs are large and very comfortable, a very positive quality for those of us that spend several hours sitting in them during an infusion. Each chair also has its own TV suspended from the ceiling, and Aurora's guest WiFi even makes it possible to bring a laptop and connect to the internet during longer treatments. Receiving in-clinic treatments for cancer (and other chronic illnesses) is a reality for many people today. It's fortunate that someplace like the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center exists for those in that situation, so that ultimately they continue to feel human and valued during what can be a very stressful experience.

Ok so, according to my family, the doctors here literally can't tell what stage (just using…read morenumbers) lung cancer is that has metastasized to the ribs and spine. They have proof of that through multiple forms of imaging including PET. My grandma is 88 years old with a trapped lung and they not only don't know the stage but told her she's not dying any time soon, not any more than I'm dying (I'm a 38 year old without cancer and my only medical conditions are PCOS and mild hypertension). Christ, I better cancel my plans for the upcoming year if that's the case. DO NOT COME HERE. GO TO A REAL HOSPITAL.

My stomach was in knots. I was a ball of stress after speaking with my Dad about my Mom's upcoming…read morebiopsy results. I couldn't sleep as anxiety clenched my heart, and consumed my thoughts. Out of no where, with no family history, my family's life came to a screeching halt. The unthinkable happened, and my Mom was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma - Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymohoma. It aggressively appeared in a short 4 weeks time, and flipped our world upside down. Her health was rapidly deteriorating, and we were grasping at straws for our next move as the news sunk in. She was diagnosed locally in South Bend, IN. My Mom remained firm on maintaining some sense of normalcy, as we prepared for her treatment plan. I did some serious research on my sleepless nights awaiting for her diagnosis to be confirmed. My Dad and I had spoken to CTCA-Zion and wanted her to come here for a second opinion. At that time, she wanted to stay home, and although we didn't like it, we honored her wishes. She thought cancer was cancer and the treatment would be the same anywhere (oh, how wrong that thinking is..). Fast-forward 6 months of local chemo treatment in South Bend. Mom's cancer was still there after her last PET scan after 6 rounds of harsh, grueling chemo. Our only option was presented to us. We were on our way to stem cell transplant (not to be taken lightly) and more, harsher chemo treatment. It was then, when my Mom was done with treatment. She refused to endure any more treatment at the South Bend hospital, and went home to, in her words, "let nature run its course." The small light of hope was diminishing, and I knew we had to turn this ship around. Her local South Bend Oncologist at that time was giving us a 3-6 month life span estimate for refusing more chemo with my Mom's aggressive cancer. The South Bend Oncologist was hardly present throughout her formal treatments that I returned home for. Overall, my family was not pleased at all with her care in South Bend. Many things were missed under the South Bend Hospital care. Cancer is not just a "cut and paste" repeat process that they were offering. I knew there was more for us. There HAD to be more. There must be better, patient centric care somewhere, right? My family wasn't done fighting, and I for one, wasn't going to accept this grim news without a fight for a second opinion. I rapidly shifted my focus to back CTCA Zion, and my Dad and I prepared for a second opinion. We completed the paperwork and I flew across the country for an emergency 48 hour visit back home to get my Mom onboard with a 2nd opinion. She finally agreed (hallelujah), and we landed here at CTCA in August 2019 with NOTHING to lose. We cleared our schedules and attended the 3 day orientation appointment, in which all accommodations were made for us. They also arranged for us to meet here team of STEM Cell unit team for their final opinion. They decided on a watch a wait method (a far cry from stem cell treatment plan the original doctor was pushing) and felt comfortable taking a cautionary monitoring period. I understand our fight is not over. I'm not so sure, it will ever "be officially over." It's our new normal we are still adjusting to. We are still in active treatment, and we hope to close this "active cancer" chapter of our life in 2020. Our decision is firm that we will receive on-going care here. The CTCA hospital and professional team take the time to know you, and your family by name. They're ready with tissues and hugs as the roller coaster of emotions ensue. They cheer for us when we get good news, and try to make us smile through the pain. They take time to know your family's story. They absolutely pour love into their treatment plan, and we feel it and see it every time we are there. The facility does not feel like a hospital. In fact, it has a warmer, dare I say "welcoming" and peaceful ambience. The caring treatment we received, to the upscale testing facilities (we get results on the spot or next day compared to having to wait a week for answers), and their whole body holistic approach; it's everything you could hope for. They understand cancer is very personal. It's full of anger, pain, helplessness, and heartache. It takes so much from your family and their team understands that. Cancer is ALL they treat here. They go above and beyond to take the stress away, so you and your family can focus on healing. Here, we have dignity through our journey. CTCA truly makes it the best possible experience that they can. They're heart is in the fight with you. They hold themselves to "the mother standard of care" -- as in they provide care as if they themselves are treating their own mother. Thank you to their phenomenal STEM Cell Unit Doctors, NPs, case mangers, hospital nurses, nutritionist, pastors, therapists, and naturopaths. CTCA has given my Mom a second chance on life. We finally have hope.

I have had the best care in the world here at northwestern hospital since back in the day. This…read morehospital is keeping me cancer free because I am a high Risk cancer patient. Northwestern makes sure I have all my exams 1/2 year at the time. I have the best special her name is Soring Piateck she is so sweet very kind Best hospital

On October 6th, 2014 I walked into Northwest Oncology and met with Dr. Bruce Bank. He diagnosed…read morewith Stage 4 Breast Cancer that metastasized to the bone and stated that there is no known cure for bone cancer, but there is hope to slow it and when I asked him if I was going to die, he told me that he wasn't preparing me for a casket. In the days that followed i sat down with a friend of a friend who was battling Breast Cancer as well and asked her how do I pick a doctor, her response, "Find someone who is capable of making you believe you are capable of living because you will die with them." Ultimately I would meet with another oncologist at a top rated hospital to get the second opinion just to put my mind at ease and the treatment method came back as the same. I decided to stay with Northwest Oncology for treatment because my Oncologist and his staff made me believe that I was capable of living with cancer, which is ultimately what I am doing because there is no known cure. To my Oncologist, I'm not just a number, I am a person and I matter. Most people dread going to the oncologist, I love it because while these people see the worst of the worst, they smile at you, remember your name and they treat you like your human. When things don't feel right, they take me serious and their goal is to keep you living as long as possible. I can be honest with my Oncologist knowing that he won't make me feel like it's nothing. Everything I say is heard and it's amazing to know that no matter what happens, he's always got my back. This being said, a year ago I could barely walk and my family, friends, and employer were afraid of losing me. A year later, I'm walking normally, living in my dream home that I purchased a day before I hit 8 months of diagnosis and LIVING with cancer. Cancer tried to stop me, but thanks to Dr. Bruce Bank and his amazing team, we've found the solutions to the problems that have made living with cancer easier. Lastly, there is also this misconception about where you get treated and that some locations aren't as good as others. I'm here to put that to rest with Northwest Oncology. While it's Northwest Oncology, don't let the name fool you, the Oncologists communicate with multiple hospitals. For example: my Oncologist communicates with Oncologists from Loyola, to Northwestern, to UIC, etc. The Oncologists at Northwest Oncology are constantly looking for new treatments to help their patients. I've never seen a group of doctors so motivated to help their patients live than I have here. These Doctors are always going to conferences, learning about new drugs, speaking with companies that create the drugs needed for cancer patients. They are always keeping an eye out for studies that may better assist patients. So please remember that you can't judge a book simply by it's name because if you do, you may be missing the best part of what is in the pages.

Beautiful facility. Such a caring staff that makes people feel positive about themselves as they…read morego through some challenges.

I consider myself very fortunate to have become the patient of Dr. Singh. His mixiture of…read moreprofessionalism and caring cannot be surpassed. When most doctors would have given up searching for the problem Dr. Singh persisted and finally discovered my problem, for that i am very greatful, because now I am on the road to recovery. I would highly recommend Dr. Veerpal Singh.

From the owner: Specializing in cancer and blood disorders, Fox Valley Hematology & Illinois Cancer Specialists…read moreoffers up-to-date treatment methods with six local offices in Arlington Heights, IL Elgin, IL; Niles, IL; Crystal Lake, IL, Chicago, IL and Hoffman Estates, IL. We're dedicated to providing caring, compassionate and effective care. Also, we communicate with your primary care physicians and team up with other cancer care centers and clinical trial facilities to ensure our patients receive high-quality medical care and treatment. As specialists in oncology and hematology we focus on: Diagnostic testing * Blood Disorders Chemotherapy treatments Monitoring and follow up Working with other cancer care centers and clinical trial facilities Rendering second opinions in the diagnosis of cancer Focused on educating patients and their families, we communicate clearly to ensure our patients fully understand their condition, what procedures

Dr. Matar is wonderful. He is concerned, caring and listens to his patients. He uses the most up…read moreto date technology to track the most current therapies and treatments and always has time to discuss new ways of combating cancer that patients find through their own research.