Horizons spring 2016

Spring 2016 M E R C Y F O U N D AT I O N

Horizons

Inspiring Philanthropy. Changing Lives.

Mercy Foundation presents its 2015 Mercy Ministries Grants. | 5

President’s message I hope you find this issue of Horizons as enjoyable and inspirational as I do.

Catherine McAuley’s story reminds me that a compelling vision will inspire others to work hard and give generously to see that vision become a reality. The mission of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy of serving the poor, sick and those in need continues to be carried out locally thanks to generous donors like you.

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis urges us to practice the corporal works of Mercy. We see this personified through the stories of Jona Milo and Donald Jarrell, and Mike and Jessica Vroman, who while facing personal challenges and adversity, found great joy in giving to others through Mercy Foundation.

During this Holy Year of Mercy, join the Sisters of Mercy mission and create positive change, inspire hope and bring mercy to others.

Bringing to Life the Holy Year of Mercy How blessed we are to be living during this extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, declared so by Pope Francis on December 8, 2015! We so often associate mercy with kindness, generosity or going the extra mile. During this Holy Year of Mercy, the Pope urges us not only to be mercy but to extend mercy to others.

And, finally, in reading through the 2015 Mercy Ministry Grants Awards, I reflect with appreciation how your generosity is positively impacting the lives of so many people in our community in such a variety of ways.

I hope you feel as wonderfully fulfilled as I do, knowing that by choosing to support Mercy Foundation, we are, in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, changing and saving lives in our community. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment.

Sincerely,

Why Mercy?

The Holy Year of Mercy embodies aspects of the human spirit often associated with Pope Francis: forgiveness, compassion and generosity.

While the cornerstone of this Holy Year is for the Church to bestow Mercy on all those who seek it, there is a personal element to the Holy Year as well. Pope Francis points to specific works that should be practiced by all during this year, including corporal works of mercy such as, feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and providing shelter to those in need.

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President and CEO

Partners in Philanthropy

M E R C Y F O U N D AT I O N

Planning for the Future—The Power of Creating a Legacy Jona Milo and Don Jarrell’s story together began more than 35 years ago, in Los Angeles. “We were both professional actors,” recalls Jona. “We met in an acting workshop and we were married in a theatre in ‘beautiful downtown Burbank.’ We only acted together once, though—in a McDonald’s commercial!’ ” Eventually the showbiz world of L.A. lost its luster for the couple and they headed north to Sacramento, where Don spent many years at CalPers and Jona worked for a lobbying firm. Thirty years later, they are still happily married and love their community. “We are so happy here,” Jona says with a smile.

For years, Jona and Don have supported organizations in their community and beyond by giving generously of their time and their finances.

“We support all kinds of charities and organizations that we believe are making a difference,” Jona says.

Last year, after a health scare, the couple realized they needed to make a plan for their estate. They saw an opportunity for their estate planning to become an extension of their philanthropic giving.

“We never had children,” Jona explains. “Our nieces and nephews are far more successful than us and so, for us, it was very easy to make the decision.”

The decision Don and Jona made was to make a legacy gift, leaving a portion of their estate to Mercy Foundation. Their gift has been earmarked to support a program that has had a huge personal impact on them—the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Achievement Center.

By including Mercy Foundation in their estate plans, Jona Milo and Donald Jarrell will help improve the lives of those in our community for years to come.

Jona was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004. Her condition has worsened over the years and she now uses a wheelchair. However, she says one thing that has slowed the progression of her disease is the MS Achievement Center, which she attends once a week. “The center has been such a blessing for me. It has really helped to keep my mind sharp and to help control my symptoms. I feel so fortunate to have access to the Center and the wonderful people there!”

The MS Achievement Center relies on generosity of others to help sustain its programs, mainly through donations and grants. Jona says that knowledge has weighed heavily on her. “I feel very strongly about doing whatever I can to ensure that everyone who needs these amazing services has access to them and that the MS Achievement Center can continue into the future. I have been blessed by the Center. My mantra is—to whom much is given, much is required. And I have been given a lot through the MS Achievement Center!”

Don, who worked in retirement advising for CalPers before retiring, encourages others to plan for the future—even if the future seems a long way off. Don says, “There are real consequences to NOT making these decisions now.”

By including Mercy Foundation in their estate plans, Jona and Don will help improve the lives of others in the community for years to come.

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Bringing to Life the Holy Year of Mercy For more than 150 years, the Sisters of Mercy have carried out these very works and since 1954, Mercy Foundation has partnered with the community to further the mission of the Sisters of Mercy.

As we look ahead and look within ourselves to find meaningful ways to bring the significance of this Holy Year to life, we encourage you to join the Sisters of Mercy mission by making a special gift, or by honoring someone dear to you with a memorial or tribute gift in their name.

We hope the Holy Year of Mercy moves you to seek opportunities to extend mercy to others, and we hope that you will continue to partner with us as we further the mission of the Sisters of Mercy in our community.

Leaving a Mercy Legacy You can create a legacy by making a planned gift through Mercy Foundation to support a Sisters of Mercy ministry or program of most importance to you. Some plans can increase your cash flow, offer valuable income-tax deductions, and reduce or eliminate estate taxes. Your planned gift can help provide health care, education, affordable housing and other vital services for those in need.

If you have included Mercy Foundation in your estate plan, please let us know so we can thank you and recognize you with membership in the Mercy Legacy Society.

For more information about making a planned gift, or to request a personal gift illustration, please call Kevin Duggan at (916) 851-2703. You can also visit the planned giving section of our website at supportmercyfoundation.org.

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The Sisters of Mercy

M E R C Y F O U N D AT I O N

The Power of Legacy-Touching Lives for Generations to Come

As a young woman growing up in early 19th century Dublin, Ireland, Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley felt a compelling call to serve the poor, the sick and those in need. Frustrated by bureaucratic institutions and cultural resistance, Catherine’s boundless desire to serve was stymied – until one man’s legacy of generosity made it possible for her to achieve her vision to serve those in need that continues today, touching countless lives, generations later.

Living in Dublin in the early 1800s, Catherine McAuley served as household manager and companion to a wealthy elderly couple, William and Catherine Callaghan. The Callaghan’s were so moved by Catherine McAuley’s merciful spirit and desire to serve the neglected and poor, they often gave generously to support her work.

William Callaghan died in 1822, just three years after his wife. As the couple had no children of their own, William left a bequest of the entirety of his remaining estate and savings to Catherine McAuley. The value at that time was more than 25,000 Irish pounds, an extremely generous amount of money (worth nearly US$3 million in today's market).

Catherine used this generous gift to build a house in southeast Dublin that would serve as a school for poor servant girls and a shelter for homeless women.

On Sept. 24, 1827 – the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy – the House of Mercy opened, bringing to life Catherine’s mission to serve those in need.

Catherine increased her social work among the poor.

She taught religious doctrine, general education, and life skills to help the underserved forge their own path. The gift from William Callaghan allowed her the financial freedom to serve others and formulate a long-term plan on how best to fulfill her calling.

Over the next few years, the House of Mercy’s mission evolved and Catherine formed the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. On Dec. 12 of that year, Catherine and two co-workers professed their vows as the first Sisters of Mercy.

Sisters of Mercy worldwide trace their roots to their foundress, Catherine McAuley. They vow to serve people who suffer from poverty, sickness and lack of education. Mercy Foundation carries on this tradition by raising funds for ministries and programs supported by the Sisters of Mercy.

Today, the Sisters of Mercy have a presence around the world. Their works include education, health care and pastoral and social services. Catherine’s mission to serve the poor and those in need has grown across continents and expanded to touch countless lives…and it all began with one woman’s vision—and one man’s generous legacy gift.

Just as William Callaghan’s gift inspired a mission that continues to touch lives today, gifts today can have an impact for generations to come.

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Ministry News

M E R C Y F O U N D AT I O N

2015 Mercy Ministries Grant Awards Mercy Foundation is grateful for our donors who make gifts designated to the Area of Greatest Need. With these generous gifts, each year we are able to award special grants to ministries supported by the Sisters of Mercy, helping those in need. This year, the Mercy Ministries Grants Committee awarded 18 grants totaling $856,225 to fund special programs and equipment that will positively impact the lives of many.

At Mercy General Hospital:

1.

Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Equipment—funding will be utilized to purchase equipment necessary for caregivers to safely lift patients with dignity and respect.

At Mercy San Juan Medical Center:

2.

Bladder Ultrasound Scanner—For patients with chronic or acute bladder disorders, the scanner will allow nurses the ability to evaluate bladder function and provide prompt care. The bladder ultrasound scanner will also help reduce catheterizations and risk of infections.

3.

4.

Car Seat Program for African-American Community—With a focus on the African American community, this grant will help provide child passenger safety education and free car seats to low-income, underserved families.

Giraffe Omnibed and Giraffe Shuttle—The combination of this equipment converts the Giraffe Omni Bed to a mobile NICU transporter, ensuring continuity of care by eliminating bed transfers while providing the power necessary for more stable transport for the smallest and frailest babies served.

5.

6.

Safe Patient Handling and Mobility—Funding will be utilized to purchase equipment necessary for caregivers to safely lift patients with dignity and respect.

Tortle Head Positioning System—This system consists of two material hats, designed for precision head positioning. These positioning devices minimize the potential for premature infant brain bleeds, prevent and treat skull asymmetry and head preference associated with torticollis in the growing, yet tiny patients in the NICU.

At Methodist Hospital of Sacramento:

7.

The Dignity Health Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program—To improve the quality and access to care for underserved populations of the South Sacramento Area, funding will allow for the purchase of a new ultrasound machine and the training of family medicine residents in its usage.

8.

The Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program—Funding will be utilized to purchase equipment necessary for caregivers to safely lift patients with dignity and respect.

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Ministry News

M E R C Y F O U N D AT I O N

Other Sacramento area ministries supported by the Sisters of Mercy:

9.

Cristo Rey High School Sacramento to Enhance the Student Experience—Cristo Rey High School Sacramento, provides a life-changing, Catholic, college preparatory education to motivated students with limited financial means. Funding to Cristo Rey will be utilized for updated textbooks, mandatory off-campus class retreats to help students reflect and understand the contribution they make to the Cristo Rey community and financial assistance to those who do not have the means to contribute to their tuition.

10.

11.

Dignity Health Cancer Institute of Greater Sacramento Emergency Caregiver Hours for Cancer Patients—Funding will allow nurse navigators to assist underserved and elderly cancer patients with in-home care, medication and meals.

Dignity Health Heart & Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento Patient Accessory Closet and Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Accessories—Funding will be utilized to create a closet for LVAD accessories, providing patients an opportunity to be properly fitted for each item they require before purchasing. In addition, the patient accessory closet will store supplies to support up to 30 patients who do not have the financial resources to afford the equipment they require to function on a daily basis with an LVAD.

12.

Dignity Health Neurological Institute of Northern California Stereotactic Headframe—This important piece of equipment will enable Dignity Health providers to conduct Deep Brain Stimulation procedures. Deep Brain Stimulation offers patients suffering from Parkinsonian Tremor or Essential Tremor instant improvement.

13.

Mercy Home Health and Mercy Hospice Allscripts Mobile Application—The application integrates with Dignity Health’s health records system allowing clinicians to have immediate mobile access to a patient’s clinical history, while providing critical linkages to assist in caring for patients who are home bound.

14.

Mercy Housing California Sacramento Resident and Community Services—Mercy Housing California is committed to changing lives and revitalizing neighborhoods by providing safe, quality, service-enriched housing, serving low-income families. Grant funding will support three Mercy Housing programs: Leataata Floyd Community Center, a center for students and families that will integrate academics, youth development, family support and health and social services; Mental Health First Aid Program, where support will provide mental health and substance abuse instructor certification for selected staff and training for on-site staff at Sacramento area housing sites, as well as community engagement and support groups for those with mental health issues; Youth Enrichment Program at White Rock Village, located in El Dorado Hills, a center will be created to provide enrichment activities for youth and at-risk teens, including education activities for parents.

15.

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Achievement Center Day and Community Wellness Programs—Funding will help with the costs for expanding wellness services and programs to improve the health and quality of life for people living with MS.

16.

No Cost Mammograms and Lung Cancer Screenings—Breast and lung

cancer screenings will be provided

free of charge to 100 high-risk men

and women who are among the poor,

uninsured and undocumented in our community.

17.

Sacramento Loaves & Fishes Hot Meal Program—Sacramento Loaves & Fishes serves over 600 guests a daily hot meal, in a clean and safe environment. The campus of Loaves & Fishes also offers a variety of survival services free of charge, to men, women and children in need.

The grant will provide enough food for 25,000 hot meals for the hungry.

18.

Transportation for Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment—With a

focus on the poor and elderly

in our community, transportation to

medical appointments will be provided

to Dignity Health cancer patients who

would otherwise not be able to obtain care.

Make a difference today To learn more about the many ways you can support the programs highlighted in this newsletter, and/or other programs and projects, please call Mercy Foundation at (916) 851-2700 or visit supportmercyfoundation.org.

The Legacy of Faith and Aime The perinatal bereavement team at Mercy San Juan Medical Center provided extraordinary comfort and support to Jessica and Mike Vroman, who lost their twin daughters, Faith and Aime, when they were born too prematurely to survive at 21 weeks gestation. Jessica and Mike were so grateful for the compassionate care their family received that they contacted Mercy Foundation and we helped them establish the Faith and Aime Fund. This fund will allow perinatal bereavement program staff to acquire resources necessary to continue to provide comfort, care, and tangible memories to each one of the families they serve.

To learn more about the Vroman’s touching story, you may watch their video on our website at: supportmercyfoundation.org/ways-to-give/perinatal-bereavement 7

Non Profit US Postage Paid Sacramento, CA Permit #296 3400 Data Drive Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 SupportMercyFoundation.org

Mercy Foundation Board of Trustees Officers

Trustees

Linda Van Rees Chair

Jose Abad, MD Gil Albiani Patrice Coyle Brenda W. Davis Costanzo DiPerna, MD Roxanne Elliott Sister Eileen Enright, RSM Laurie Harting Brian Ivie Thomas Johnson Garry P. Maisel Janak Mehtani, MD Careyann Morris Mark Read John Stevenson, MD Amir Sweha, MD William W. Yee

Terence Street Vice Chair Alan Shatzel, DO Secretary Michael T. Genovese Treasurer Sister Gabrielle Marie Jones, RSM Sisters of Mercy West Midwest President Designee Kevin B. Duggan Mercy Foundation President and CEO

Questions or comments about this newsletter? We welcome your feedback. Contact us at mercyfoundationsac@dignityhealth.org or (916) 851–2700 to share your comments or sign up for an electronic version of Horizons.

In Memory Richard W. Myers, MD Richard W. Myers, MD, was 71 years old when he passed away peacefully in the presence of his immediate family and close friends on January 15th. He is remembered at Mercy Foundation as a long-time supporter and friend, for his amazing generosity, and for serving 20 years as a member of the Board of Trustees, including the position of Chair from 1990 - 1994.

We extend our condolences to the Myers’ family and thank them for requesting donations in memory of Dr. Richard W. Myers go to Mercy Foundation.