Sanford Health Foundation Thief River Falls - Encourage - Fall 2018

Sanford Health Foundation Thief River Falls Fall 2018

Glenice Johnson

Dedicated volunteer and grateful patient

Spirit Week

Sanford Thief River Falls employees give back

Glenice Johnson has experienced the good work of Sanford Health through the auxiliary and as a cancer patient.

Johnson’s treatment plan and visited her regularly in Thief River Falls. She was also able to undergo chemotherapy at the Sanford Thief River Falls Infusion Center.

KINGS OF THE WINGS WINS BIG

Over six months, Johnson spent many hours at the center, resting in the infusion chairs that the auxiliary had helped purchase. The new chairs, which have adjustable heat, massage and recline settings, as well as a tray to eat or read from, provided an important comfort during treatment sessions.

Dedicated volunteer and grateful patient Glenice Johnson chuckles at the memory of first joining the Sanford Thief River Falls Auxiliary. One day, a friend at church handed her a hospital auxiliary card and said, “I paid your dues.”

“I said, ‘Oh, fine. Thank you,’” Johnson recalled. “They didn’t have to convince me that they did wonderful things.”

Johnson dutifully jumped in, supporting the auxiliary’s efforts to support the local hospital, now the Sanford Medical Center, and the community.

A year later, she was invited to fill a seat on the auxiliary’s board of directors. It was a good fit for Johnson, who had recently retired after a 22-year career as a home economics professor.

“I think that was my friend’s plan all along,” Johnson said. “She would get me on by paying my dues the first year.”

It worked. Johnson has been an active member for years, serving on the local, district and state auxiliary organizations.

She was a driving force behind the auxiliary’s many fundraisers and special events. She helped rally members to manage the 2 encourage

Sanford Thief River Falls gift shop, volunteer with Meals on Wheels and award scholarships to local students pursuing a medical profession.

Johnson was also involved in one of the auxiliary’s most recent efforts to raise funds for new infusion chairs at the Sanford Thief River Falls Infusion Center. With the help of Johnson and her fellow auxiliary members, more than $8,600 was raised to purchase two chairs in June 2017 and two more in the summer of 2018.

Johnson never imagined that she’d be one of the patients benefiting from those chairs.

A startling diagnosis In the fall of 2017, Johnson was diagnosed with stage 3 uterine cancer.

While shocked by the diagnosis, she wasn’t worried. Johnson had already beat breast cancer two decades earlier. Plus, she personally knew most of the Sanford staff and trusted their care.

“I didn’t feel negative or think, ‘Why me?’ That’s just my nature,” she said.

The oncologists at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo designed

“I kind of kid, ‘Well, that’s why I had cancer. I needed to try them out firsthand so I could see how our money is working,’” Johnson joked.

The value of care, close to home With so much of her care available in Thief River Falls, Johnson could remain close to the support of family and friends, and all of the activities she loves.

“I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” she said. “You don’t want to put everything on hold. I’ve got grandchildren in the area and all these organizations I’ve got to keep working for, so we can’t just put it on the shelf for a year.”

In July 2018, Johnson celebrated her final day of treatment. Looking back on her journey, she has a renewed sense of pride in the auxiliary and its members who support local health care and facilities like the infusion center. She now knows, firsthand, what a difference the generosity of volunteers and donors can make in the lives of patients.

If you would like to support the Sanford Infusion Center in Thief River Falls, and ensure neighbors like Johnson can continue receiving care close to home, please use the enclosed envelope or visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org/ donate to make a gift!

In February, hundreds attended the 2018 Kings of the Wings benefiting Sanford Thief River Falls.

This year’s cook-off and tailgate party was held at Ralph Engelstad Arena before the Norskies hockey game. Eight teams prepared samples of their tastiest chicken wing recipes and competed for votes in a number of categories.

A big congratulations to the Black Cat Sports Bar & Grill for being crowned the 2018 Wing Master!

Many thanks to all the guests, dedicated committee members, volunteers, judges, host Miss Minnesota Brianna Drevlow and special guest Miss Thief River Falls Katrina Bugge.

You helped raise more than $25,000 to support health and wellness at Sanford Thief River Falls.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, contestants and the Thief River Falls Norskies for making this special event possible.

Spirit Week 2018: Sanford Thief River Falls employees give back Employees at Sanford Thief River Falls are skilled, caring, compassionate ... and generous!

This year, employees pledged a record $32,700 to support Sanford during Spirit Week, a week of events that encourage giving back.

All employee donors become members of the H.E.A.R.T. (Healthcare Employees Always Reaching Together) Club, and those who pledge $100 or more are honored as Gold Members.

By The Numbers: • Total employee participation — 31% • Employee donors who increased their donation — 14 with an average increase of $64 • New H.E.A.R.T. Club Members — 7 with an average gift of $233 • Total H.E.A.R.T. Club Members — 201 with an average gift of $163 • Total Gold Members — 96 with an average gift of $291

These donations will benefit patients across the Thief River Falls region and beyond.

Thank you Sanford Thief River Falls employees!

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Sanford Sanford Sanford Health Health Foundation Thief River PO Box 609Falls 120 LaBreeND Ave. S Hillsboro, 58045 Thief River Falls, MN 56701

As the holiday season approaches, please think of your loved ones and neighbors across the region, and continue to stand with us. We rely on your support to deliver the highest standard of care to everyone who will walk through our doors in 2019 and beyond.

Please use the enclosed envelope or visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org to make your tax-deductible gift

by Dec. 31.

Happy Holidays!

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