Banner Health Receives Record Charitable Contribution
CEO Todd Werner with benefactor Wilford Cardon.
Donation Strategic Boost For Children’s Facility
MESA, Ariz. (Nov. 21, 2008) - These days it can be hard to find a positive story amidst the economic woes of the country. However, a long-time Mesa family is doing its part in making a difference in the health of children in their community and for kids throughout Arizona with a record $10 million gift to The Banner Health Foundation that will support hospital pediatric care.
The gift comes to Banner from the Cardon family, and their family name will be recognized in a new name for the Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa. The new name will be unveiled in a special presentation early in 2009.
It is the largest private donation ever received by Banner.
“Wilford Cardon has been a leader of our nonprofit organization through his service on various Banner boards for more the 30 years,” said Banner President and CEO Peter S. Fine. “This incredible gift from his family is but one more way that Wilford has demonstrated extraordinary leadership for our organization and his community. As we enter the holiday season there is no better way to remind us all about the power and importance of good deeds and generosity,” he added.
The Cardon family commitment has continued on with Wilford’s son Wil playing an active role at Banner raising money and serving on key boards. And some 15 Cardon children and grandchildren have been born over the years at Banner Desert. While a number of family members participated in the $10 million gift, it is being officially given by Wilford Allen and Phyllis Reneer Cardon.
Under its new name honoring the Cardon family, Banner Children’s Hospital will open a new facility in the fall of 2009 that will increase its total bed count to 248 beds. This major pediatric hospital is the only of its kind in the East Valley, and provides nearly every aspect of specialized pediatric care. In the East Valley it’s estimated that there will be nearly 400,000 children by the end of 2009.
“There is no more important cause than the health and care of children. We have been proud to be associated with Banner’s critical work in Arizona for many years and thought this would be a helpful and timely way to elevate pediatric care in this state. Those who have been blessed have an obligation to help those for whom blessings are still on the way,” Wilford Cardon said, on behalf of his family.
ABOUT BANNER
Headquartered in Phoenix, nonprofit Banner Health spans seven states and operates 11 acute care hospitals in Arizona. Other services operated by Banner include a behavioral hospital, same-day surgi-centers, home care and hospice, research institutes and laboratory services. Banner provides more patient care than any other hospital system in the state, and is Arizona’s second largest private employer with more than 29,000 employees.
Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center provides comprehensive pediatric care from general pediatrics and intensive care to a dedicated pediatric emergency department and specialized services for specific childhood diseases. Our highly skilled and compassionate staff assures parents that their children are receiving the best possible care. Our pediatric staff, in conjunction with a full array of pediatric specialty physicians, meets the diverse childhood health care needs of our time. The hospital is a member of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI).
ABOUT THE CARDON GROUP
The Cardon Group was started in the 1930’s by Wilford Pratt “Pat” Cardon as a petroleum jobber with full service gasoline stations. In the 1970’s, the company branched out to real estate investment and development and built several million square feet of office, industrial, residential and hotel product. Over the years, the company became a diversified holding company with investments in real estate, wholesale and retail petroleum, lodging, ranching, manufacturing, lending, and other sectors.
In the early 1990’s, the company turned its focus to undeveloped land in the path of growth of major metropolitan areas. Cardon’s strategy included improving the land through entitlements and selling it to residential and commercial developers.
Today, the Cardon Group is led by a third generation Cardon, Wilford R. “Wil” Cardon. The group currently manages and is involved in projects ranging from corner commercial lots to 20,000-acre master planned communities. Since 1999, Cardon together with its partners has invested in over 100 properties consisting of over 100,000 acres with a value in the billions of dollars.
The group retains a firm commitment to the local community and has expanded its investments with partners around the globe. Along with its investments throughout the United States, Cardon has investments in Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama.
With the goal of responsible growth in mind, The Cardon Group operates using its experience, integrity and relationships to bring quality to the projects under its stewardship.
