SPRING/SUMMER 2016 SPOTLIGHTING EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS AT BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER Team BMC Runs Strong Across The Perlmans and BMC: the Fundraising Finish Line How Values Align eam BMC had a remarkable presence on this year’s Boston Marathon course, Marc and Claire Perlman may not with 91 runners taking on 26.2 miles in honor of Boston Medical Center’s have grown up in New England, but providers and patients. Thanks to John Hancock and the Boston Athletic after both attended college at the Association, runners hailing from near and far—including San Francisco University of Rhode Island, the region Tand England—joined together on April 18, 2016, in celebration of their many months of became home to them. Now residing dedicated training and fundraising. Cheers, clapping and cowbells surrounded the team in Kingstown, Rhode Island, the couple from Hopkinton to Boylston Street where they crossed the historic finish line and were raised three sons who have carried on awarded with a coveted Boston Marathon medal. the family tradition of “working hard and paying it forward.” The Perlman family is most notably affiliated with Ocean State Job Lot—a closeout retail chain that was established nearly 40 years ago and currently operates 121 stores across New England, New Jersey and New York. Marc, co-founder and CEO of the company, and Claire, current trustee of Boston Medical Center, realized after years of hard work and determination, philanthropy was an important part of their company’s vision. “It turned out that we were good at what we did, and we ended up building a nice business,” says Marc when com- menting on how he and Claire became philanthropically invested in BMC. “After achieving success, the opportu- nity to participate in things outside our own needs became central to our core Continued on page 2 The 2016 Boston Marathon team gathered at the starting line in Hopkinton, MA, about to take on 26.2 miles in honor of Boston Medical Center. The energy of Team BMC’s determination was evident off the course, too. Surpassing IN THIS ISSUE last year’s fundraising goal, they set out to make 2016 even better by aiming to raise 2 Letter from the President $750,000—$50,000 higher than their goal in 2015—in support of BMC’s capital campaign, including construction of the new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department. 3 Fritz’s Story They deployed creative means of fundraising, from spin classes to raffles for Red Sox 6 Building the New BMC tickets. Together, the team raised more than $900,000, with tremendous support from JP’s Team—led by Joe Craven, an employee of BlackRock and BMC Exceptional Care 11 Adolescent Addiction Program Without Exception Trust Board member—and funding from our Lead Supporter 14 Grant Highlights Santander Bank. Approximately $320,000 was raised by JP’s Team, which was comprised of family and friends of the Craven family along with 26 runners from BlackRock. 15 Stronger Together Campaign Continued on page 8 The Perlmans and BMC: How Values Align Continued from page 1 values, both as a family and as a company. We are involved with a lot of organizations, but when I met Ted Cutler [co-founder of From the President BMC’s Food for Thought dinner], he mentioned BMC and how so many people rely on it, and that’s when it all started.” Dear Friends, “Being the safety-net hospital of Boston and the place for so many people with so The health care landscape is changing rapidly, and with that change comes new many different needs—we knew BMC was a opportunity for Boston Medical Center to thrive as a crucial provider of exceptional great institution to get behind,” adds Claire. care, without exception for the patients we serve. Since 15 years ago, the Perlmans have driven many philanthropic initiatives, As the safety-net hospital for Greater Boston, our mission is to provide the highest- including Ocean State Job Lot’s annual quality, most efficient care. To deliver great care to the patients we serve, most of point-of-sale program and seasonal in-kind donations of food and clothing. Doing so, whom face complex socioeconomic challenges that also affect their health, BMC they say, helps an important cause and lets must meet the range of our patients’ needs, medical and otherwise. To do that, store employees become more involved BMC has developed considerable expertise in innovating critical support services. with charitable giving. Our first-in-the-nation therapeutic Food Pantry is a great example. For more than 20 years, we’ve provided prescriptions for healthy food to BMC families as a key ingredient to their overall health. This type of comprehensive approach to health is just one example of the many ways BMC takes care of the whole patient, putting us in position to lead the market in delivering holistic and highly coordinated care—the future of health care. An integrated approach to care is the right thing to do for the well-being of our community. BMC stands to play a pivotal role as both the state and federal government look for new and more cost-effective ways for our health system to meet this goal. Boston Medical Center prides itself on always putting the patient first, and we are excited for the opportunities that will arise as a result of these shifts. I look “We are incredibly fortunate to have forward to keeping you informed as we steer BMC through the currents of change. supporters like Claire and Marc helping us uphold BMC’s commitment of exceptional We have a lot of important work underway for our future, and I am confident we care, without exception,” notes Norman can get the job done. Each of us, including you—our friends—play an important role, Stein, senior vice president and chief devel- and we are incredibly grateful for your support. Together, we are making a difference opment officer. “They have been outstand- ing friends to the hospital and have allowed in the lives of our patients—patients who solely rely on BMC for their care. us to build vital, unique programs that have Sincerely, become essential to our fundraising.” The Perlmans continue to give back to Boston Medical Center and provide guidance in important institutional efforts, such as the ongoing capital campaign. Although Claire Kate Walsh says “it’s hard not to be inspired” by BMC, President and CEO it is clear the Perlmans are the inspiration, allowing BMC to explore creative ways to sustain its mission and thrive. 2 | INSPIRE Family and Healing Par for the Course at BMC: Fritz’s Story ou’ll be in the best hands at Boston Medical Center.” On the brink of facing one of the most difficult journeys of his life, Fritz Gorst was unsure what these words would Y eventually mean. Fritz—an avid golfer and lover of the outdoors—was experiencing unusual leg swelling, originally thought to be caused by age and long days on his feet. After unsuccessful attempts at reducing the swelling, his physician identified increased levels of protein in his urine and about 30 pounds of fluid in each leg. A kidney biopsy revealed his diagnosis: Amyloid Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. A group of diseases arising from misfolded proteins which accumulate as amyloid deposits, AL amyloidosis is the most common form of amyloidosis. For Fritz, the disease—and word—seemed foreign. “To be able to have two sticks in my hand and glide across the ice—I had tears in my eyes. I thought to myself, ‘this is absolutely amazing.’” FRITZ­­­ GORST A vigilant researcher, Fritz looked up amyloidosis online. “According to the internet, I would be gone in six months,” he remembers. Weeding through information, Fritz located a support group and called its founder. She recommended BMC’s Amyloidosis Center—the exact place where his diagnosing physician was sending his records. “She said amyloidosis was only treated in a few centers in the country and BMC was one Services, Inc. Photo Alantic PHOTO: of the best.” World-renowned for its significant contributions to Fritz was among fellow BMC patients who walked the runway at the laboratory and clinical research and excellence in patient care 2015 Catwalk for BMC Cancer Care, which raises key funds for cancer and diagnostic tests, providers at the center decided he was an patient support services. excellent candidate for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous has contributed to his rehabilitation. “If I were to take my legs off, stem cell transplantation. you would think I was born this way.” Fritz found the best treatment at BMC, but that would not be all: Within a year, Fritz was back on the ice, playing sled hockey. he also found an extended family there. With treatments requiring “To be able to have two sticks in my hand and glide across the a lot of time spent at the hospital, he developed a bond with his ice—I had tears in my eyes. I thought to myself, ‘this is absolutely providers. “Everyone was by my side, caring for me,” recalls Fritz, amazing.’” His freedom restored, he is able to restore hope for who remembers each and every provider’s name—one of which others. “He has shown that walking, running and thriving is was his nurse, Sue Spinney, R.N., B.S.N. As much of an impact his possible after amputations,” says Kalish. caretakers had on him, he did the same, sharing joyful stories in light of challenging treatments. “He always brought pictures of his Following a complete response to stem cell transplant treatment, Fritz grandson with him,” Spinney notes.