Generosity Heals
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Generosity Heals 2017 Annual Donor Report Our Mission Improve and enhance healthcare services for people throughout Northcentral Montana. About Benefis Foundation Benefis Health System Foundation is a non- profit, charitable giving organization that exists to improve the lives of Benefis Health System patients and community members throughout the Northcentral Montana region. Since 1998, caring donors have generously supported a multitude of programs, projects, and funds that address the greatest healthcare needs at our health system and in our community and help deliver high quality care to our neighbors, friends, and loved ones. 100 percent of the money raised by the Benefis Foundation goes directly towards improving healthcare. Our devoted donors make the world of difference in the lives of countless Montanans every single day. In 2017, donors and private grantors gave more than $2.5 million in philanthropic support to the Benefis Foundation. And, a little over $2.5 million was disbursed for GENEROSITY programs and services throughout Benefis Health System and the community and region. HEALS 2017 Foundation Dear Friends and Community Members, Board Members In August 2017, I was privileged to become President of OFFICERS the Benefis Health System Foundation as an expansion of my existing role at Benefis. I am honored to have the Shannon E. Hoiland Chair opportunity to work directly with the Benefis Foundation First Interstate Bank and its many generous donors. Douglas M. Nicholson Vice Chair Davidson Companies The extraordinary impact that our donors have on the Bryce C. Graft health and wellbeing of our patients and community Secretary members is powerful and inspiring. Calumet Montana Refining Dean A. Nelson The following are just a few of the many accomplishments and milestones of 2017 that Treasurer Retired Investment Advisor were realized because of the generosity of donors like you: • $1 million of donor-raised funds helped the Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute DIRECTORS (SCI) purchase the Varian EDGE™ Radiosurgery System, the first in Montana and surrounding five-state area. Barbara L. Byrne Rancher • We celebrated a remarkable milestone in November—the 10,000th patient Antelope Butte LLC received care at SCI since the institute opened in 2005. Grant W. Eve Certified Public Accountant • After a successful fundraising campaign that brought in nearly $2.5 million, Wipfli/JOSEPH EVE construction began on the new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department at Benefis. Nora C. Gerrity, MD Pediatric Hospitalist • We Care! We Share!, the annual employee giving campaign at Benefis, raised a Benefis Medical Group record-breaking $518,165. It also had the highest-ever percentage of employee participation—55 percent! Dena Burnham Johnson Owner Legal Practice Systems Consulting These achievements added to an already exciting year at Benefis Health System, Wayne E. Linnell which celebrated 125 years of providing quality healthcare to residents of Northcentral Of Counsel Attorney Linnell, Newhall, Martin & Schulke, PC Montana in 2017. The advancements made over the last century in medical care and Chris R. Reiquam technology at Benefis simply would not have been possible without philanthropy and Retired Banker and Rancher the tremendous support of our community. James R. Simmons Sales & Service Manager National Laundry Co. As we face the uncertain future of healthcare in our country, the importance of Patricia T. Sletten philanthropy will be even greater. We are fortunate to have such compassionate donors Community Volunteer that continually give to the Benefis Foundation so that others may heal. G. Mike Tabacco President Guy Tabacco Construction Thank you for making philanthropy such an important part of your life. I hope you will Diane N. Volk join us in celebrating the Benefis Foundation’s 20th Anniversary throughout 2018—two Co-owner Willow Creek Ranch decades and countless lives touched because of donors like you. EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Theresa A. Preite President Benefis Health System Foundation GENEROSITY William R. McGregor, MD Benefis Health System Board Terry Preite President Forrest Ehlinger Benefis Spectrum Medical, Regional Relations, and Philanthropy CFO and System Chief Resources Officer HEALS Benefis Health System www.BenefisFoundation.org 1 Supporting Children and Families Our gratitude is endless for the thousands of donors who support the programs that help children and families facing illness and tragedy. Your gifts bring love and light during the darkest times and make life seem more bearable for these families experiencing the unimaginable. There really aren’t words that accurately convey how thankful we are to the Angel Fund donors for providing this assistance. It really was a boost of encouragement when we needed it most. This is truly a wonderful program that shines a light when it feels like there isn’t one. Thank you from the bottom of GENEROSITY our hearts.” - Mom from Havre, MT HEALS 2 www.BenefisFoundation.org YOUR HELPED Gifts$ 69 families with 44,292 The Angel Fund was truly a godsend. We desperately needed financial assistance to help defray the cost of travel and motel stays when my daughter received treatment at Seattle Children’s Your gifts helped these 69 Hospital. The gift took away a tremendous amount families with travel and of stress and allowed us to focus on my daughter’s lodging costs when they had medical needs and care. Thank you, dear angels. to travel out of town, often You are a blessing we will never forget. on very short notice, so their - Mom from Browning, MT sick children could receive specialized care. to help with families $ medical 21received 8,339 expenses The 221 Children’s Fund was created to be a “brother fund” to the Angel Fund, assisting families with medical expenses, prescriptions, and other healthcare needs. This financial assistance has helped my family immensely. What you are doing is pure kindness. You are helping families like mine who are not only struggling with the emotional rollercoaster of special needs, but who are also struggling financially. Because of your help, we are able to get the treatments and therapies our baby girl needs, and she is improving more than anyone thought possible. Because of you. - Mom from Chester, MT PO Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406-7008 | 406.455.5840 3 Benefis Peace Hospice Children’s Bereavement Program This program gives children in our community the opportunity to process the grief of losing a loved one through a number of support programs, including therapeutic camps, retreats, support groups, and special events like the Holiday Remembrance. 93 volunteers 5,807 hours 93 active volunteers offer their time and talent to make Camp Francis, Darcy’s Hope, and the other Children’s Bereavement programs a success. In 2017, these committed individuals volunteered a total of 5,807 hours. 84 300+ 84 children, their family members, and volunteers More than 300 of our community members were served through honored their loved ones at the the Children’s Bereavement Program in 2017. annual Holiday Remembrance Celebration in December. 4 PO Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406-7008 | 406.455.5840 CAMP children 34 attended FRANCIS 34 children attended Camp Francis in the mountains near Monarch in June 2017. Camp Francis helps kids ages six through 12 cope with the death of a significant person in their life. These 34 kids spent the week connecting with other children who share that experience of losing someone they love. Because of donors like you, they learned together how to heal and let go of their grief in a safe, supportive place. This CAMPhas CHANGED my LIFE DARCY’S teens 21 attended HOPE 21 teens attended Darcy’s Hope Teen Retreat in October 2017. This group of 21 teenagers who shared the experience of losing someone they love came together to connect, grieve, and learn how to smile again. Thank you for helping make this such a special place of healing! Camp was an AMAZING experience! The volunteers helped me lessen my guilt for grandma, and increased the remembrance of LOVE that I have for her. Thank you for all you do, camp is very special to me and I’m very excited to return next year! www.BenefisFoundation.org 5 Continued Investments in Cancer Care Thanks to the hundreds of donors who gave a total of $8.9 million to establish Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute thirteen years ago, the institute has brought hope to those who hear the frightening words: you have cancer. Donors to the Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute continue to play a vital role in making the latest cancer treatment options available to patients in our region. GENEROSITY HEALS 6 www.BenefisFoundation.org patients 10,000 since 2005 In November, we celebrated a remarkable milestone at Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute — the 10,000th patient received care since the institute opened in 2005. Our generous donors are to thank for reaching this monumental milestone. The beautiful building and the compassionate care that is provided within its walls and beyond make it a truly special place for cancer care. Your gifts inspire courage and bring peace and hope to our patients and their families. Benefis Sletten 18,489 Cancer Institute Holistic Care (SCI) patients underwent a total Donors make it possible for patients at SCI to receive care that of 18,489 radiation oncology focuses on the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. procedures in 2017. Beyond the sophisticated medical treatments, patients at SCI receive comprehensive care that includes a broad range of support services, from support groups for patients and families, to access to the Cancer Resource Center—a complete library of cancer-related materials. There 28,080 was a SCI patients utilized the Image Center 801 times throughout total of 28,080 medical 801 2017. Donors like you helped oncology visits at SCI these cancer patients cope with the visible throughout 2017.