In this issue:

• Community members support Banner Children’s capital campaign
• Trail Ride celebrates Silver Anniversary
• Educational grant underwrites costs to host Alzheimer’s conference
• FBR Open tournament proceeds benefit Banner Children’s

FROM THE CEO: Andy Kramer
In just a few weeks, Banner Health will celebrate the grand opening of our first hospital in Gilbert – Banner Gateway Medical Center.  This innovative facility, which blends the latest medical technology with the care-centered mission of Banner Health, will offer a comprehensive healing environment focused on addressing the needs of the whole patient, including mind, body and spirit.  The facility and the leaders behind its introduction to the community are profiled in the new issue of FRIENDS Magazine, our Foundation publication that will be distributed to donors, volunteers, and employees early this month.

Also featured in the magazine is an update on our Through the Eyes of a Child capital campaign, to benefit Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center. The campaign, which has already amassed more than $6.5 million towards its $15 million goal, is poised for great success, and the investments made in the effort will help to ensure that the needs of our community’s most vulnerable patients are adequately met, now and in the future.

The Fall issue of FRIENDS will profile one of our first Healing Hearts honorees, Kim Hunt from Banner Behavioral Health Hospital.  Ms. Hunt was recognized by one of her patients, who made a substantial donation in her honor to express gratitude for the excellent care she provided.  Healing Hearts, the Foundation’s recognition program, was launched last Spring, and has generated more than $27,000 in donations to support programs and services at Banner Health that are reliant on philanthropy.

These are just a few highlights of what the next issue of FRIENDS has to offer our readers – the magazine is filled with information about the latest programs and services at our hospitals, details on upcoming events, and much more.  Our donors will receive a copy in their mailbox, and employees can pick up the magazine at one of local facilities or call us at 602.747.GIVE (4483) to request a personal copy. We hope you will find FRIENDS informative and enjoyable, as we spread the word about the importance of making health care solutions a reality in our community.

PEOPLE
Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign reaches milestone
Earlier this year, Banner Health Foundation committed to securing $15 million in charitable contributions via the Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign to support the construction of a new children’s hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center.  Led by Valley businessmen, Wil Cardon and John Graham, the campaign is steadily gaining momentum with recent gifts propelling the campaign’s total to date to $6.5 million.

The Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign involves much more than just raising funds to build a new hospital – the campaign will help to create a unique healing environment, featuring a state-of-the-art facility combined with medical excellence, to meet the health care needs of children in our community.

Banner Health Foundation gratefully acknowledges the following individuals who have joined the campaign cabinet to help us care for the future…today:

Honorary Campaign Chairs
Ross and Anita Farnsworth
Ruth Nesbitt
Steve and Barbara Young

Campaign Cabinet Members
Wil Cardon - Co-Chair                    John Graham - Co-Chair

Denny Barney
Stacy Brimhall
Susan Brown
David Dudgeon, M.D.  
Dottie Dudgeon 
Paul Gilbert
Sharon Harper
Tom Lewis
Rex Maughan
John Perkinson 
Cheryl Pollack
Betty Rhodes
Louis Rosati, M.D.
Jordan Rose
Sterling Tanner
Ken Van Winkle
Glenn Waterkotte, M.D.
Craig Willett
John Zidich

To learn more about supporting the Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign, to make more pediatric hospital beds available to our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, please contact 480.512.4453.

EVENTS
A Special Place of Growth and Healing – Celebrating 25 Years
Wendy Paine O’Brien was a talented young artist who suffered from severe mood swings and depression that ended her life too soon.  In 1984, Wendy’s parents, Bill and Sada O’Brien, founded the Wendy Paine O’Brien Treatment Center (the Wendy Center) at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital – Scottsdale, so Wendy’s legacy could live on through hope, help and healing for other troubled teens. 

Celebrating 25 years of providing compassionate care, the Wendy Center offers support services and treatment to teens battling with behavioral health problems such as depression, substance abuse, anxiety and stress.  Charitable contributions have provided resources for an experienced team of professionals to offer specialized programming designed to help adolescents.

Hit the trails with Banner Health Foundation the weekend of Oct. 5-7 and support the Wendy Center by celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Fall Los Caballeros de la Margarita Ride.  Experience a weekend filled with activities, including a three-day guided ride, live entertainment, catered dinner, contests and dancing under the stars.  Over the years, this unique event has raised over $500,000 to expand services provided by the Wendy Center.

For reservations and sponsorship opportunities, please call 602.747.4485.

PROGRAMS
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute receives funding to support upcoming conference
Eisai is a human health care company seeking innovative solutions in disease prevention, cure and care for the health and well-being of people worldwide.  Through educational grants Eisai partners with organizations with similar goals by providing financial support to advance research efforts.  The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute was recently selected to receive a $8,000 educational grant to support a one-day conference entitled “Weaving the Old with the New: A four-point discussion on the aging brain and Alzheimer’s disease in Native Americans in Arizona” scheduled for Sept. 28 at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.

GIVING BACK
Success of FBR Open links Banner Health with the Thunderbirds
Known for their trademark tunics and southwestern medallions, the Thunderbirds are a group of influential business and community leaders who volunteer countless hours throughout the year to stage the annual FBR Open, an internationally-recognized stop on the PGA Tour and one of Arizona’s premier events.

While many associate the FBR Open with manicured greens at the Tournament Players Club, enthusiastic crowds at the 16th hole, and thousands of fans dressed to the nines, the Thunderbirds’ passion is improving our community. Millions of dollars in tournament proceeds are donated annually to local nonprofit organizations through Thunderbirds Charities, and this year, Banner Children’s Hospital has been selected to receive a $125,000 grant.  This donation marks the largest ever from Thunderbirds Charities to Banner Health.

The Thunderbirds have also been a long-standing partner in the Safeway International LPGA, teaming up with event organizers to support an annual ticket promotion that ties the women’s professional golf tournament with the FBR Open. Banner Health’s cancer care programs receive the majority of proceeds from the Safeway International, and ticket sales contribute significantly to the event’s charitable outcome.

About Banner Health Foundation
Banner Health Foundation fosters a spirit of giving by making health care solutions a reality for our community.  Contributions made to the Foundation are invested locally in Banner Health’s nonprofit facilities and programs to advance health and wellness. Caring for the future of Arizona since 1978, Banner Health Foundation is supported by the generosity of individual donors, the public and private sectors, and thousands of active volunteers.

If you would like to learn more, please visit www.bannerhealth.org or call 602.747.GIVE (4483).