In this issue:
Women’s Council of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
Golf Tournament
License plates raise funds
Toy drive with Andrea’s closet
From the CEO – Andy Kramer
With the recent transition of Sun Health into Banner Health, I look forward to partnering with Pamela Myerhoffer, CEO of the Sun Health Foundation. The Sun Health Foundation will remain separate from the Banner Health Foundation. However, we will be collaborating with their talented team to ensure we meet all of our priorities. To kick off our new partnership we will be delivering new leader experience training together to some 400 Banner Del Web and Banner Boswell employees over the next four months. We are very excited to welcome our new partner and look forward to growing together.
In other developments, Arizona’s stretched pediatric system will be getting a needed boost when our new state-of-the-art Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center opens in 2009. As you know, we made a commitment to improve access to quality pediatric care for our region’s children. Thanks to our many generous individuals, foundations, and corporations we are now in the final stages of securing the $15 million in charitable commitments necessary for the new hospital. We are also asking the community to help us meet the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust match challenge - every dollar raised in the community will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $1 million.
We are so grateful to all our partners in the community who have helped us stay loyal to our mission of making a difference in people’s lives through excellent patient care.
PEOPLE
Volunteers make it “A Night to Remember”
Thanks to a very special group of volunteers led by Heidi Berkley, Kim Townsend, and Suzanne Hilton, the Women’s Council of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute are gearing up for their signature “A Night to Remember” event. The October 25 evening will feature food, entertainment, and a silent auction. Local chefs will be serving up a menu filled with gourmet food that promotes brain health. Recent studies have suggested that a diet rich in antioxidants from dark vegetables and fruits may help protect the brain. The event will raise funds to support programs at the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
Special thanks to all the members of the Women’s Council:
Shelia Bennatt, Shannon Berkman, Raya Caviness, Lori Citron, Renee Dee, Pat Engels, Amy Goff, Tobie Harkless, Amanda Houser, Laura Jakimovich, Amy King, Laurie Marinakos, Brooke Martz, Michelle Maxwell, Cheryl Mendez, Margaret Morris, Michelle Norton, Heidi O'Brien, Andrea Perrin, Elizabeth Powell, Michele Schwanz, Kasey Schwartz, Sheri Sender, Debbie Sinani and Beth Wintermeyer.
EVENTS
Golfers tee it up to support Banner Health School-Based Clinics
For the second consecutive year, golfers hit the links at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club to benefit the Banner Health School-Based Clinics program. The annual tournament has supported Banner Health’s School-Based Clinics since 1984. PGA Tour legend and three-time U.S. Open winner Hale Irwin hosted the exclusive Banner Health Pro-Am. More than 100 golfers played a round of golf on the picturesque Jack and Gary Nicklaus Prospector course and then enjoyed a TaylorMade/Adidas shopping experience and awards luncheon with Irwin.
The sixteen Phoenix-area school-based clinics operated by Banner Health serve thousands of uninsured and under-insured children each year with help from charitable contributions from the Pro-Am and other fundraising efforts.
PROGRAMS
The most popular specialty plate in Arizona raises awareness and funds
Nearly 40,000 blue “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child” license plates are on Arizona’s roads today. Thanks to the Child Abuse Prevention License Plate Program, Banner Health Foundation is one of 25 agencies receiving proceeds from the sale of the popular plates. The program is a partnership between The Arizona Republic and The Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families.
The $30,000 award from the license plate revenues will fund our Healthy Steps program. Premature infants are a greater risk for child abuse and Healthy Steps early childhood specialists reach out to families of NICU patients and provide needed support and care both in the hospital and after discharge. This proactive approach helps to prepare parents to care for their premature infants.
Nationally, the program has reduced overly harsh disciplinary behaviors and improved other health factors, such as ensuring children are current with immunizations and attend all recommended well-child exams.
GIVING BACK
Donate a toy and ease a child’s mind
Banner Health Foundation, Andrea’s Closet, and Central Arizona Project have teamed up to “share the love” with hospitalized children at Banner Thunderbird and Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Centers. We are inviting everyone to fill Andrea’s Closet bins at each hospital, by donating new, unwrapped toys. The toys will help console a child during some of their toughest moments.
Kenny Brunk, a CAP employee, and his wife, Traci, created Andrea's Closet in memory of their 8-year-old daughter Andrea. Andrea died in 2002 after an 18-month battle with cancer and her parents found that a simple toy would comfort and distract her from the procedures and tests that she dreaded. They believed Andrea would want all children to have a special toy to make their hospital stay a little easier, and Andrea’s Closet fulfills her wish.
In 2007, the “Share the Love” toy drive collected over 1,350 new, unwrapped toys for our pediatric patients. Collection bins are in place at several locations throughout Banner Thunderbird and Banner Children’s during the month of September. So please bring in your new toy today.
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).
Has someone at Banner Health made a difference to you? Show your gratitude today by making a Healing Heart gift - visit www.bannerhealth.org (keywords: Healing Heart).