Carson Tahoe Health, Rotary of Carson City celebrate Labyrinth anniversary and partnership

Wednesday marks 13 years since the opening of the outdoor Labyrinth located at the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. The unique space was made possible through a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Carson City.

In 2006, under the leadership of past president Rafael Cappucci, the Rotary Club contributed $75,000 to build the Labyrinth, and gave another $200,000 in support of the Cancer Center project over a four-year period.

“We are truly grateful to our dedicated community partners,” says Alan Garrett, President and CEO of Carson Tahoe Health. “Although I’m new to the community, it’s evident how much the Rotary Club has given to our region, and specifically, to Carson Tahoe. Collaborations such as the one we have with the Rotary are essential to improving health and wellness. The labyrinth is especially meaningful as we care for the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.”

Carson Tahoe Cancer Center was the first (and is still the only) healthcare facility in Northern Nevada to construct and implement a Chartres-like labyrinth to complement traditional cancer treatment. The 36-ft. in diameter labyrinth is just one feature in Carson Tahoe Cancer Center’s healing environment.

“A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path,” said Robert Ferré, owner and director of Labyrinth Enterprises. He’s built and installed more than 800 labyrinths that are similar to the Carson City Labyrinth. “The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world, so in actuality, a labyrinth is a tool, a gateway or physical entry point to the energy and truth that lie beyond the visible.”

Carson Tahoe Health would like to express gratitude to Carson City Rotary Club not only for what they have contributed to CTH but what they continually do to support our community.

“In the coming months, we plan to ask our club membership to consider some restoration work on this labyrinth, under Ferré’s guidance. The Nevada sun has washed out the color in the lines, and it’s going to need some meticulous hand work to bring it back to it’s original state,” said Gary Jesch, Director of the Rotary Club of Carson City. “This seems like a worthy project for our Rotary members to work on, with people from the community and Carson Tahoe Health.”

About Carson Tahoe Health
Carson Tahoe Health is a local, not-for-profit healthcare system with 240 licensed acute care beds. Serving a population of over 250,000, CTH features two hospitals, two urgent cares, an emergent care center, outpatient services and a provider network with 21 regional locations. The system is headquartered on a beautiful master-planned 80-acre medical campus nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in North Carson City. As the system’s cornerstone, Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center (CTRMC), voted 5th most beautiful hospital in the nation, was the first Baby-Friendly designated hospital in Nevada. Also included on the campus is Carson Tahoe Sierra Surgery, the 15-bed boutique elective surgery arm of CTRMC, and Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, an affiliate of Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah. For more information, go to www.carsontahoe.com.

About Rotary Club of Carson City

The Rotary Club of Carson City was chartered by Rotary International in 1938 and has continuously served the local community with a wide variety of projects involving young student leaders, businesses and Carson City families. It’s best known for its Rotary Youth Exchange program, which offers children of local families the ability to study overseas and to host students from other countries in their own homes. From its annual fundraiser, the Capital City Brewfest, to ongoing grants helping teachers in the Carson City School District, the club’s many members believe in integrity, philanthropy, dedication and friendship and come together weekly at the Brewery Arts Center on Tuesdays at 12 noon. More info is available at carsonrotary.org.