Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is opening the first free-standing palliative medicine clinic in Southeastern North Carolina, according to a news release.

The clinic, 2250 Shipyard Blvd. at the intersection of Independence and Shipyard boulevards in Wilmington, will "provide expert support for people with serious illness," the release stated. It will serve patients from local health care providers, including Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute, Novant Health physician clinics and patients from other area physicians.

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare are set to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the clinic.

According to the release, the goal of palliative medicine is to provide patients with relief from the symptoms and the stress of illnesses such as heart disease, COPD, cancer, renal and liver disease, dementia, Parkinson’s and ALS.

"Palliative medicine can be provided together with curative treatment for a serious illness," the release stated.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, a nonprofit organization, has been providing palliative medicine to people in the region for more than four decades, according to the release.