As the Board Chair of St. Luke’s Foundation, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand, not only the generosity of a community, but the
For life
individuals that are able to benefit from the giving acts of others. It’s seeing the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, neighbors and friends that are able to take comfort in the care we provide that brings to life the mission of the hospital: to give the healthcare we’d like our loved ones to receive. It’s seeing individuals and groups come forward and offer what they can to help, that highlight the Foundation’s mission of supporting the hospital. It’s often the meshing of these experiences that brings out the best in people. So many times we’ve heard a donor say they want to give because of the care their loved one received as a patient. St. Luke’s is a special place because of the giving spirit that brings us all together, whether in joyous times like the birth of a new baby, or sorrowful times like life’s final journey. While we embrace our status as a highly regarded birth care center, we’ve also been working hard to provide comfort to those families preparing to say goodbye to a loved one. The recent completion of a $2.5 million campaign to create the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit was an incredible milestone. It means 220 patients and their families – nearly 1,000 individuals annually in our community – will have the best possible care at one of the most difficult times they will ever experience. It’s reassuring to know these families will breathe easier because of what we have accomplished collectively. I take great pride in what we’ve accomplished as a community and as a hospital in 2012. I’m so grateful for the donors who have helped make these achievements possible.
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Terri Christoffersen, St. Luke’s Foundation Board Chair