Augusta, GA
‘Really heartbreaking’: Georgia Cancer Center battles national chemo drug shortage
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Cancer centers across the nation are dealing with a shortage in chemotherapy medicine.
The Georgia Cancer Center says they’ve been able to meet patient needs- they’re just not sure for how much longer.
We spoke with the oncology pharmacy at the Georgia Cancer Center on the impact this could have on local cancer patients.
The Georgia Cancer Center says it’s one of the most significant issues they’ve had to face.
Cervical cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, and many more….are all treated by cisplatin, carboplatin, or methotrexate.
The Georgia Cancer Center says they’re working harder than ever to find those three chemo drugs.
“We’ve been very aggressive with our inventory, checking it at least three times weekly against who’s scheduled,” said Georgia Cancer Center Oncology Pharmacy Supervisor Katherine Saunders.
It’s these drugs that are saving lives on a daily basis.
Like many other survivors, it was cisplatin that helped Saunders’ husband beat testicular cancer.
“I think it is entirely possible if he had not had access to that drug several years ago, he may not be here,” she said.
With shortages beginning in February, they’ve been able to stay afloat while taking care of patient’s needs, but if there isn’t a solution soon they’re not sure what the future holds especially with no alternatives for these medications.
“I just truly don’t know what we would do. With the fact that the shortage doesn’t seem to have a resolution date at this time, we’re gonna have to get creative and that’s something you never want to tell a patient,” said Saunders.
Now the pressure is on lawmakers to help cancer centers across the country keep providing care and saving lives.
“It’s really heartbreaking conversation and I feel very lucky that we’ve been able to not have to go down that route for our patients here, but we certainly don’t have endless supply. We may be facing that conversation soon,” she said.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re just under two months away from baseball season and this year will be a bittersweet one for North Augusta’s baseball and softball teams.
While many players would much rather play at a brand-new facility, Riverview Park has been home to the Yellowjackets for a long time now.
After this season, however, North Augusta will finally have a new place to call home.
But, they will have one more chance to close out a phenomenal season before transitioning to the new stadium next year.
You’ve seen the construction and you can see the vision.
In just a few more months, across the street from North Augusta High School will be two brand-new facilities.
The newest home of the Yellowjackets baseball and softball teams.
“It’s a chance to have something that is ours,” said Lynn. “Our own atmosphere at school. It’s going to be exciting.”
The over $8 million project was slated to be completed ahead of this year’s season, but after multiple delays like the impact of Hurricane Helene and just how big of a project it truly is, the facilities are still several months from being ready for play.
In the event construction concludes as originally planned, Head Coach Kevin Lynn says the team has no plans to move fields in the middle of their 2025 season.
“I don’t want to have summer ball starting there, I want our kids to start a regular season there,” said Lynn. I want them to open the season up and have a true home opener.”
The good news is, nothing about this year will feel different for the team.
The Yellowjackets have called Riverview Park home for over 40 years and they’ll get one more chance to send it out with a grand slam.”I grew up watching my brother play here and many people before him, so being able to play here one last time feels really good.”
“I’d like to go out on a high note and finish up strong here. Our goal is to win all of our games at home since we play here all the time and know the layout more than anybody else. It’d be nice to accomplish those goals in our last season.”
Lynn’s team will open up on the road against Strom Thurmond on Feb. 11.
The Yellowjackets are 40 and 40 under Lynn as head coach.
It’s hard to believe we’re almost to baseball season, before we know it we’ll be talking about the Masters.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
2 young males dead after boat overturns in Screven County
SYLVANIA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two young males are dead after their boat overturned while fishing, according to the Screven County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a press release, around 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, emergency services received a call about a boat overturning in a pond off Poor Robin Road.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a young adult male who was located at the scene. The male reported he had been in a boat with two other young males fishing when their boat overturned.
The young male was treated for his injuries and released, according to officials.
Additional agencies arrived on the scene including the Screven County Marine Rescue Squadron and several local scuba divers.
“After an extensive 5-hour search, in 46-degree water, the bodies of the remaining two young males were located in the pond,” said Sheriff Norman Royal.
The investigation into the circumstances that led up to these deaths is still ongoing, but no foul play is suspected at this time, according to officials.
Screven County EMS, Screven County Fire, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Effingham County Fire and Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, also assisted in the response.
Sheriff Royal sends his thoughts and prayers to the families of these two young men and thanks all agencies that assisted and made their recovery possible.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
WATCH: Gun comes out during fight at Butler High, video shows
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A weapon was seized by school administrators after the apparent gun fell to the floor during a fight between students Tuesday at Butler High School.
Parents were told of the incident in a letter.
“Two students engaged in a fight in a classroom today during a class,” the letter stated. “During the altercation, students saw a weapon drop to the floor.”
The Richmond County School System didn’t address what kind of weapon it was, but a video on Facebook showed what appeared to be a gun.
Administrators and Richmond County School System police responded immediately and secured the school for about 45 minutes while police investigated, parents were told.
The student was taken into custody and the incident was addressed following the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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