Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) recently received a $50,000 grant from Arizona Complete Health for its new, centralized cancer center on the Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) campus in Cottonwood. The donation will be used to create a rock garden at the facility. This project will be named the Arizona Complete Health Rock Garden. It will serve as a healing, outdoor space modeled after the beloved NAH Rock Garden at the Cancer Centers of NAH in Flagstaff, where people have contributed hand-painted rocks with loving and inspirational messages for patients and visitors to enjoy. The NAH Office of Philanthropy played a pivotal part in securing the grant for the meaningful project.
“This generous gift from Arizona Complete Health will create a beautiful and heartfelt space within our new cancer center campus in Cottonwood. It will support taking a moment to pause, reflect and honor the people who have touched their lives,” said NAH Vice President of Philanthropy Maraka Oltrogge. “We are deeply grateful for this investment in our patients and our community. The rock garden will create a lasting legacy that honors the lives and stories of those touched by cancer for years to come.”
In 2018, a group of NAH colleagues, patients and community members organized the first NAH Rock-A-Thon to kick off the creation of a rock garden at the Cancer Centers of NAH in Flagstaff. People were invited to paint a rock with an inspiring message to leave in the garden for patients or family members who need their spirits lifted. It created a space where the entire community can participate in honoring the cancer journey. A white stone heart commemorates those who have survived and those who have passed. These stones represent many experiences that accompany a cancer diagnosis, while reminding those receiving care that they are surrounded by a community that supports them.
“We are honored to support this memory rock garden within VVMC’s new cancer center,” said Arizona Complete Health Community Relations Representative Anthony Mancini. “Through our partnership with NAH’s Office of Philanthropy, it is our privilege to contribute to a meaningful space for patients and their loved ones.”
NAH broke ground on the new Cottonwood cancer center in March 2026. The center will produce 30,000 square feet of clinical care and will incorporate all of NAH’s Verde Valley cancer services under one roof. NAH anticipates construction to be complete by fall of 2027.