Striking out Cancer 2017 Gratitude Report Inside!
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BenchA publication of Marshfield Clinic Health System FoundationMarks Spring 2018 2017 Gratitude Report inside! Striking out cancer Friends bowl to benefit local cancer patients BenchMarks – Spring 2018 Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer A message from: Teri M. Wilczek Teri M. Wilczek, M.S., CFRE Major Gifts Chief Philanthropy Officer Brooke Wolff, manager Matt Faber When I returned from Marshfield Clinic Health System’s (MCHS) Board Bobbie Kolehouse of Directors March meeting I was filled with more pride than ever to be Meredith Nelson Karen Piel part of this organization and play a role in its accomplishments. Michael Strubel One message shared at that meeting was our strategic growth and Annual Giving commitment to patients and communities is possible because of Rikki Starich, manager Becky Gordon remarkable support from people like you. Maree Stewart Dan Wieland An example of such growth is that recently, MCHS and Memorial Hospital, Inc., Neillsville, signed Operations & Special Events a letter of intent to provide more accessible health care to the Neillsville community through an affiliation partnership. As a farm girl born and raised in Clark County with Neillsville as its county 2 Striking out cancer Tiffany Halan, director Jody Day seat, I’m proud to see MCHS in these communities and beyond. Along with expanding services in Tracy Faber Rusk County, Minocqua and Eau Claire, this growth will further our mission to enrich lives. Angie Guralski In this issue Taylor Hoffman Supporters like you often talk about their pride in being part of MCHS’ mission of enriching lives. Mary Beth Knoeck We're honored you and those featured in BenchMarks partner with us to make lives better. Amanda Lancour 2 Striking out cancer Anna Selk Sandy Thoma Organizers of Strike Out Cancer, featured on page 2, share love of bowling and experiences 4 Accounting for the future Gidget Tobin with cancer. Their friendship and survivorship has led them to raise over $70,000 for Steph Williams Northwoods cancer care through their long-running event. 6 2017 Gratitude Report! Volunteer Services The Macdonald family shares a similar pride by supporting MCHS youth and behavioral health 8 Meet the Miracle Kids Keresa Kilty, manager Melissa Darr programs. In their story on page 4, you’ll learn about their ties to Wausau and why they invest in health care’s future in central and northern Wisconsin. 12 Growing up and giving back Production & Graphics 14 Meet the People: Dr. William Melms Editorial Staff We proudly introduce Lakken, Isaac, Cameron, Audrina and Amiya on page 8, our first Miracle Janet Stewart Kids since Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals programs transitioned to Marshfield 16 New Center integrates research and cancer care Maree Stewart Medical Center and MCHS. Their stories of resilience and hope explain why CMN Hospitals is Designer such a vital service for local kids. 17 Spotlight on Research: Dr. Joseph Mazza Erik Borreson Volunteers walk through our doors daily, ready to share their time with our patients. These 18 Special Events Photographer Mac Bailey volunteers, like Courtney Linzmeier featured on page 12, have a pride in their commitment to 20 Called to Action our organization and people they serve. I am humbled to hear why our volunteers choose to BenchMarks is a publication of Marshfield Clinic give back. 26 Metal to Miracles: Bob Gwidt Health System. Please send address changes to: As you think about what you are most proud of, I hope your commitment to MCHS is on your 28 2017 Circle of Friends Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation 1000 North Oak Avenue, 1R1 list because we so often see its impact. We are thankful for your generosity in moving the mission of enriching lives forward and we are proud to have you in our family of supporters. 31 Celebrating Legacies: Judy and Len Hill Marshfield, WI 54449-5790 Or call 715-387-9249 or 1-800-858-5220 32 Shining Stars or visit marshfieldclinic.org/giving. With heartfelt gratitude, Or visit us on Facebook at 34 Memorial and Honor Gifts www.facebook.com/marshfieldclinic healthsystemfoundation Teri 37 Charitable giving under the new tax law Cover photo: Susanne Erickson and Maxine Drager, Strike Out Cancer 307-021 BenchMarks 1 “A lot of people come to the chemotherapy, for example,” event to just watch the dedication said Rikki Starich, annual giving ceremony and buy a few raffle manager, MCHS Foundation. tickets because they know someone who has cancer or who Another example of how funds died from it,” said Drager. “There’s are used is providing a special so much pain everyone has with gel cream for radiation therapy this disease, it brings us all closer.” patients because it is out of reach financially for many patients on Grieving those losses prompted their own. Erickson to take action 14 years ago. She and a small group “Having these funds available of friends created bowling allows our staff to think, ‘What fundraisers that generated money can I do to make patients feel a for national cancer organizations. little bit better? What is something Several years into the effort, beyond the normal treatment plan however, she felt an emptiness. that just makes a patient’s journey a little better?’” Starich said. “ Events like Perhaps due to their Midwestern Your gifts this inspire upbringing, Erickson and Drager Striking out our providers said they used to keep quiet at work when someone discounted their to do their fundraiser’s impact. As the event has Cancer care grown so has their courage, since jobs differently.” Gifts from people like you provide the group has raised more than hope and healing to cancer $70,000 for MCHS patient services. cancer patients across MCHS. Your Friends bowl to benefit local cancer patients generosity supports: “People I would ask to sponsor “Now I would say to the doubters or donate to the event would ask that our little fundraiser helps New technology and me where the money was going patients with any number of things e Bowling balls crash into pins at Erickson is the only bowler among For many in the group the event is treatment equipment and many of them didn’t like they really need and use,” Erickson Eagle Lanes as Susanne “Susie” eight siblings in her family, but quite personal. Three of Erickson’s that it went away to a national said. “This event means a lot to me Erickson settles in to describe many of her closest friends are sisters have battled breast cancer. e Patient and family organization,” she said. because we started it together and how her love of the game her teammates and rivals in the Over time, other family members support groups it has grown exponentially.” transformed her grief, deepened Ladies Night Out league in Eagle and many of her bowling friends For the last seven years, event her friendships and helped make River. Most of them have been have been diagnosed with various e Thoughtfully designed treatment proceeds have gone to MCHS For Drager, the money raised her community a better place for friends for decades, seeing each forms of the disease. At least and waiting rooms cancer care funds to purchase going solely to local patients healing cancer patients. other through the joys of family life nine of the league’s 31 members wigs, mastectomy bras, other makes all the difference. Healing gardens and fun times of the Northwoods are cancer survivors or current items and services to help make e recreational scene as well as the patients. Others, including “Don’t rush,” she tells a novice cancer patients’ experiences a little visiting the bowling alley, the sorrows of illness. Erickson’s sister Rosalie Enders, “Cancer isn’t pretty and these Educational resources easier. This year’s event sponsors e site of Eagle River’s long- have lost the battle. events don’t bring people back included several local businesses. running Strike Out Cancer event The group within the league that who we’ve lost,” she said. “But this e Access to new treatments benefitting oncology patient care makes Strike Out Cancer happen Just in Wisconsin, more than 33,000 money does get used for people “Events like this inspire our in the Northwoods and breast each year includes Maxine Drager, new cancer cases will be diagnosed we care about and it helps make a … and so much more! providers to do their jobs cancer research throughout Pat Mayo, Carol Kubiaczyk, Kathy in 2018, according to American very tough time a little better.” differently. Because of these You can help families touched by Marshfield Clinic Health System Lyczak, JoAnn Bathel, Caron Cancer Society estimates. donations, our breast cancer cancer with a gift to local cancer (MCHS). “Your feet can never be Stegemann, Tina Lesnick, Kim Unlike bowling, the real power of coordinators can provide care. Visit www.marshfieldclinic. too slow. Swing the arms straight, Schaffer and Carol Numrich. these women comes not from the like a pendulum on a clock. All the cookbooks filled with recipes legs, but the heart. org/giving/cancer or contact the power comes from the legs.” that have been tested to appeal MCHS Foundation team at 800- to someone going through 858-5220 to add your support. 2 BenchMarks 3 Accounting for the future "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." — Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and statesman For Donna and Mark Macdonald, it By developing a strong working has always been about the kids. relationship with the MCHS Foundation, Mark Macdonald Whether it was raising their own said it has been helpful to work four children, witnessing how with a team that understands the extreme poverty and neglect couple’s passions and projects that affected families in Los Angeles will be a good fit for their goals.