Ascension Illinois Foundation 2025 Donor Impact Report
YOU CARE BECAUSE
Donor Impact Report
As we reflect on the past year, I am deeply moved by the incredible impact of our Foundation community. Because you care, healing happens, hope is renewed and lives are saved every day across Ascension Illinois.
Your generosity unites us in compassion — supporting those who are sick, vulnerable and most in need. Together, we are strengthening our communities ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Each story in this report celebrates the lives you have touched and the healing you have helped make possible — all because you care.
As we look to the year ahead, we do so with gratitude for your generosity and shared commitment to providing hope, healing and compassionate care for all.
Gratefully yours,
Jill Hulten Chief Development Officer Ascension Illinois Foundation
YOU CARE BECAUSE
BECAUSE YOU CARE, You Created Lasting Impact in Fiscal Year 2025: $20.9 MILLION
$20.9 million distributed to advance care and innovation across Ascension Illinois.
1,400+ 1,400+ people received psychiatric services and supportive housing from Ascension Illinois Center for Mental Health
2,350+
2,350+ mental health consultations with students, parents, principals, teachers and other school staff were provided through the School Mental Health program during the 2024/2025 school year.
“Thank you very much for saving my life. I truly believe if I had not been given this opportunity to learn about my disease and get real help provided by your generosity, I would have not made it.”
— Grateful patient, Ascension Illinois Foglia Family Foundation Residential Treatment Center
RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE
After Childhood Trauma Led to Addiction, He’s Now Helping Others Find Hope
Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance
“Bonaventure gave me a safe place to grow and heal. I’m beyond grateful for this place.”
— Clinton, Bonaventure House graduate
BECAUSE YOU CARE BECAUSE YOU CARE
LIVES ARE SAVED
After a traumatic incident happened to him at age eight, Clinton’s world fell apart. Not knowing how to cope, his mother turned to drugs and alcohol. By age 15, Clinton was struggling with his own alcohol and meth addiction. Facing decades of substance use, legal troubles and on the brink of homelessness, Clinton decided to get sober and ended up at Bonaventure House, part of the Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance. There, Clinton found new and healthy ways to heal from his past trauma and focused on the skills he needed to maintain sobriety. Now, Clinton has graduated from the 18-month program, become a certified drug and alcohol counselor, and shares his story at recovery conferences across the country. “I am so grateful for what my life has become and I would never be where I am at today if it wasn’t for Bonaventure. It gave me structure. It gave me accountability. It gave me a sense of being.”
Since 2018, more than 440 homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic health conditions have received supportive housing through the Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance.
Philanthropy Advances Early Detection of High-Risk Cancer Patients
Ascension Saint Joseph – Chicago
After a routine mammogram revealed her breast cancer in 2008, Ascension Illinois Foundation Board Member Suzanne Zaccone was determined to help other high-risk patients at Ascension Saint Joseph – Chicago detect and treat cancer as early as possible. Because of her generosity, the Mark M. Connolly Cancer & Specialty Care facility and the Zaccone Center for Holistic Healing became places of hope and healing for many patients. Suzanne’s ongoing support has equipped the hospital with advanced cancer detection and treatment technology — from 2011 to today — helping ensure that patients receive care that’s less invasive, more precise, and leads to faster recoveries. Now, Suzanne is deepening her impact by partnering with her physician, Mark Connolly, MD, and the oncology team at Ascension Saint Joseph – Chicago to establish an Advanced Nurse Practitioner role dedicated to identifying individuals with a genetic predisposition to cancer, educating and counseling those individuals on risk factors, and coordinating subsequent care or screenings needed. By detecting and understanding potential cancer risk — sometimes years before diagnosis — patients are positioned for better longterm outcomes.
“Imagine not having to suffer through all the testing, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation if found early enough. I believe that is why so many survivors continue to show up, raise money and awareness, and continue to fight.”
— Suzanne Zaccone, Grateful patient
BECAUSE YOU CARE JOY IS RESTORED
Life-Changing Support for a Struggling New Mother
Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program
My experience in the Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program (PIOP) was truly life changing. Looking back, I can now see just how deep my depression was. It controlled everything. I wasn’t sleeping or eating. I wasn’t talking to my friends or family. My coping mechanisms were becoming harmful, and had that continued, I know it would have led me to a very dark place. Then, I found the PIOP.
From the very first day, I was surrounded by a room full of moms who truly understood. The care was intense. It was purposeful. And it was exactly what I needed. But the most life-changing part were the other moms that were part of the PIOP. They listened — without judgment. They shared their own stories, and in doing so, they helped me see that I was never truly alone.
The PIOP saved me. It gave me the space to heal, to connect, and to grow. And most importantly, it helped me become the kind of mom my baby deserves. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
— Grateful patient
BECAUSE YOU CARE FUTURES SHINE
Healing Journey Leads to New Career in Counseling
Ascension Illinois Behavioral Health Services, Eating Disorders Program
“I don’t know if I can be the mom they need if I don’t get help right now.”
— Michaela, Grateful patient
Every year, philanthropy ensures that unfunded and underfunded women experiencing anxiety and depression during or after pregnancy receive the vital mental health and medication support they need.
When Michaela was in middle school, her running hobby quickly turned into an obsession. After collapsing during a race, Michaela was forced to stop running due to severely injured knees.
Soon after, Michaela’s focus shifted to controlling her weight, restricting food and purging to relieve anxiety. Over the next several years, Michaela would be in and out of treatment for her eating disorder.
After the birth of her second child, Michaela noticed a shift in her moods which led to an inpatient stay at the Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates. Her doctors and care team provided the highly specialized, personalized care that Michaela needed as a young mother. Her positive experience with her caregivers and the knowledge she gained during her recovery inspired Michaela to give back to others. In May 2025, she graduated with a master’s degree in counseling and interned at the same behavioral health hospital that had previously treated her.
BECAUSE YOU CARE, HOPE SHINES BRIGHT
Your generosity today can change the story for someone in need of healing. Give hope this holiday season by making a donation today.
BECAUSE YOU CARE COMMUNITIES THRIVE
Community Fundraisers Deliver Lasting Impact
H.E.A.L.
$3,000
May 2025
Chelsie Scoggin-Chang, founder of H.E.A.L. (Helping Empower through Austin’s Legacy) and The Windy City chapter of Iron Vikings Motorcycle Club raised $3,000 to support psychiatric services provided by Ascension Illinois Center for Mental Health – Arlington Heights
Schaumburg Women’s Golf League
$23,500
July 2025
Thanks to Linda Ewing and the Schaumburg Women’s Golf League, the 12th Annual Carol Nanna Memorial Golf Event raised essential funds for patient care and support services provided by Ascension Illinois Cancer Care and the Mary R. Faraci Boutique
Michael S. DeLarco Foundation
$12,500
August 2025
The 20th Annual Michael S. DeLarco Golf Outing helped raise funds to provide iPads, Kindles and special LEGO events for patients at Ascension Saint Alexius Women & Children’s Hospital
Our mission remains steadfast: to provide for the needs of children and families within our community.”
— Linda and Mike DeLarco, Community supporters
Kicks to Cure Cancer FootGolf
$10,535
August 2025
Now in its ninth year, the FootGolf Tournament hosted by Justin and Jason Ross benefits cancer services provided by Ascension Illinois Cancer Care
Mac-Attack
$3,285
October 2025
Hosted by breast cancer survivor Mackenzie Currans, who received her care at Ascension Alexian Brothers in 2013, the 2025 MacAttack fundraising event united the community to support patients needing meals, transportation, wigs, genetic testing and other essential needs provided by Ascension Illinois Cancer Care
“ We all can do something kind for others, so if I can inspire other people to do good, that’s really what I want.”
— Mackenzie
Currans, Community supporter
2025 Power & Pink Fundraiser
$3,145
October 2025
This annual event hosted by Inspyr Studios in Arlington Heights helped raise funds to benefit the Mary R. Faraci Boutique and Ascension Illinois Cancer Care, which supports cancer patients by providing wigs, post-surgical garments, prosthesis fittings and more.
BECAUSE YOU CARE HEALING HAPPENS
Physicians Extending Healing Through Philanthropy Physicians Council
During the annual meeting in October, the Physicians Council celebrated a significant milestone — awarding more than $1 million — $1,006,158 to date — in total grants to Ascension Illinois programs since the partnership was founded. In 2013, 10 physicians established the Council to help address the unmet healthcare needs of patients and community members through their own personal contributions. Today, the group of physicians has grown to more than 120 lifetime members and granted more than 70 projects. This milestone stands as a testament to the generosity, vision and leadership of the physician members.
Since awarding its first grants in fiscal year 2015 — supporting the Ascension Alexian Brothers Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders Resource Center,
the Ascension Illinois Center for Mental Health, and the Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance — the Council has championed countless initiatives across Ascension Illinois, from nutrition and wellness programs to hospice therapies and even a hospital facility dog. The Council’s impact continues to touch lives and strengthen care across the system.
“Over the years, we have been able to make a meaningful difference in our community and remain deeply engaged in directing resources toward the needs our medical expertise identifies within our own communities.”
— Rema Johnson, DO, Former Physicians Council Co-Chair
Healing Through Generosity: Programs Supported by the Physicians Council
“Every physician and every grant awarded has helped make this remarkable achievement possible.”
— Raj Wadyal, MD, Physicians Council Co-Chair
School Mental Health
Ascension Illinois Center for Mental Health
Facility Dog Program (Link)
Ascension Saint Alexius
Care
for Veterans
During the 2024-2025 school year, 81 percent of the students surveyed for depression and anxiety saw a reduction in symptoms and 66 percent increased their GPA from first quarter to fourth quarter.
Hospice Integrative Art, Music and Massage Therapies
Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospice Care and Residence
Ascension Illinois Foglia Family Foundation
Residential Treatment Center
Dietary Counseling for Cardiac Patients
Ascension Alexian Brothers
Live Stream Child Life
Programming and Pediatric CCTV
Ascension Saint Alexius Women and Children’s Hospital
Transitional Living Program
Ascension Illinois Center for Mental Health
Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program
Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital
The Bettendorf Bridge Program Washers and Dryers
Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance
In FY25, 27 formerly homeless men and women were housed through the Transitional Living Program (TLP), the only program in the region to accept clients with no funding. Ninety-nine percent of TLP graduates remain stably housed after 12 months.
Diagnostic Testing for Autism
Ascension Alexian Brothers Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders Resource Center
BECAUSE YOU CARE HOPE GROWS
Therapeutic Garden Cultivates Healing at Rehab Hospital
Thanks to philanthropy, an unremarkable courtyard has been transformed into a beautiful healing garden for patients, visitors and staff at Ascension Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital in Elk Grove Village. Now, patients can plant flowers in the therapeutic planting beds or tend to the vegetables and herb garden — inspiring movement, connection and renewed purpose.
“I have been in the hospital for 21 days — this is the first day that I breathed fresh air, had the sun on my face, and felt like I had a purpose… I felt human again, with hope for recovery.”
