Winter 2014

Sanford Health Foundation Fargo December 2014

Investing in Children

Marcil family invests in the NICU Sanford becomes Level II

Pediatric Trauma Center Fighting for Life Fargo’s pancreatic cancer awareness group

Marcil family invests in North Dakota’s children Jane and William Marcil

This fall, the William and Jane Marcil family established a million dollar endowment in support of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Sanford Children’s Hospital Fargo.

The gift has personal meaning for the Marcils, who know firsthand the value of this specialized care. Nine years ago, when their granddaughter was born prematurely, the NICU became her first home and a place for which the Marcils will always be grateful.

“We were very fortunate to have it here in Fargo,” said William Marcil.

“They took excellent care of her and we spent quite a bit of time there.”

Today, joy fills his voice as he describes his granddaughter as “sharp as a tack.”

With gratitude and a desire to leave a legacy for the health of future generations, the family created The William C. and Jane B. Marcil Charitable Foundation Endowment for Children as a means to provide long-term financial support for the NICU in Fargo. The funds will be used wherever the needs are greatest.

“Children and families across the region will benefit from the Marcils’ philanthropy for years to come,” said Christine Dockter, chief development officer of the Sanford

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Health Foundation. “This very generous gift will ensure state-ofthe art medical care for critically ill or premature babies. It will make sure they have a chance at the bright, healthy future they deserve.”

The Marcils’ endowment also advances the Building Tomorrow Today campaign, which is raising permanent support to advance and enhance programs and services at the new Sanford Fargo Medical Center, and the renewed downtown campus.

“We’d been thinking about this for quite a while,” said Marcil.

“We thought if we made our gift now and it went public, it would perhaps inspire others to give. This new medical facility will add light years to the care that’s available to the citizens of this region.”

The Marcils have deep roots in North Dakota and have already left an indelible impact on the area.

William Marcil is the chairman of the board of Forum Communications Co., a multimedia organization and parent company for several newspapers, and radio and television stations.

In 2010, he retired as publisher and CEO of The Forum in Fargo. Jane Black Marcil is from the family that owned and published The Forum.

They view Sanford as an important investment in the future of their home state.

“Health care is vital to this region.

It’s one of our major employers here and creates a lot of jobs,” said Marcil.

“I think it’s just a good business decision to help expand medical facilities and enable citizens to have better facilities available to them.

“I want to congratulate Sanford and Kelby Krabbenhoft and the whole operation for the commitment they’ve made to this part of the region. I think they’ve done more for the health care system than they said they would when they moved to Fargo.”

To join the Marcils in building the future of health care in the region, please add your support to the Building Tomorrow Today campaign. No matter what area or program you’re looking to advance, Building Tomorrow Today has a giving opportunity to match.

In addition to permanent recognition and public gratitude, there are numerous direct benefits to giving, including a 40 percent state income tax credit for North Dakota residents, along with your usual federal income tax deduction.

Visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org to donate or learn more.

Donors make 61for61 a success At the heart of this year’s 61for61 were the volunteers, cancer survivors, and generous donors and sponsors.

They, along with Robbie, Dave and Moose from 107.9 the FOX made events possible, and their enthusiasm and support helped raise vital funds for the Roger Maris Cancer Center.

“We are humbled by the ongoing support of all the 61for61 events,” said Amy Hinkemeyer, enterprise director of campaign strategy for the Sanford Health Foundation.

Several activities supported 61for61, including a Night Out for 61for61 at the Wild Rice Bar and Grill, cookouts at Sunmart locations, Family Fun Night, FM Crusader M.C. Rally in the Valley Motorcycle Challenge and the Home Run Walk.

Stories of victory and hope flooded the airwaves of 107.9 the FOX from

cancer survivors in the community, including Paul Richard, the president of the Medical Center Fargo, who is currently being treated at the Roger Maris Cancer Center.

Honorary Chairs Becky Kaiser and Peggy Ullrich shared their cancer journey and triumphs and joined 15 other Survivor Champions at the Home Run Walk to celebrate life.

Among the most memorable moments was when Layne Billing, the 2014 Pediatric Cancer Survivor Champion, was able to head downtown for the ESPN GameDay festivities. Layne was invited by 107.9 the FOX radio personalities to ride with them in a limo to the GameDay TV broadcast set, where he posed for a once-ina-lifetime photo shoot and met Miss North Dakota, Audra Mari.

The Fox radio hosts supporting 61for61.

At the end of the week, the 61for61 events raised more than $170,000 for the Roger Maris Cancer Center.

Thank you for your support, and please mark your calendar for the 18th annual 61for61 on Sept. 3-5, 2015. To learn more about 61for61 or to make a gift to the Roger Maris Cancer Center, please visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org or call (701) 234-6246.

DID YOU KNOW? North Dakota taxpayers can claim a 40% income tax credit, along with their usual federal income tax deduction, when they establish an endowment with us. For many taxpayers this reduces the cost of a $10,000 donation to $3,200!

Gift amount

$10,000

$25,000

$50,000

Net federal tax deduction

-$3,560

-$8,900

-$17,800

N.D. state income tax credit

-$4,000

-$10,000

-$20,000

Net cost

$2,440

$6,100

$12,200

The Building Tomorrow Today campaign allows you to support your health care area of choice.

Contact the Sanford Health Foundation at (701) 234-6246.

If you pay ND state income tax you could qualify for the ND tax credit. encourage 3

Celebrating her inner champion Hannah Miller is a vivacious 9 year old from Bismarck, N.D. Like most little girls, she loves My Little Ponies, her dog and spending time with her friends and family. But remarkably, Hannah is also a cancer survivor.

Last summer, an unexplained bump on her right arm led to the startling diagnosis of osteosarcoma.

This aggressive form of bone cancer meant urgent surgery and months of exhausting chemotherapy and doctor’s appointments.

“We certainly didn’t anticipate the diagnosis,” said Hannah’s father, Phil. “But once it presented itself, we quickly understood just how serious this was for Hannah.”

Fortunately, the Millers didn’t have to go far for exceptional care. Hannah was treated at Sanford Children’s in both Fargo and Bismarck, where she faced and fought the disease with a strength and spirit unmatched by many adults. Her selfless compassion touched all those around her, especially the other young patients on her floor, whom she comforted and cheered with handmade get-well cards.

Today, Hannah is cancer free. Her grateful parents credit the Child Life Specialists, physicians, nurses and staff in every department at Sanford for Hannah’s overall care.

“The doctors, nurses and staff at Sanford Children’s – both in Fargo and Bismarck – that offered support during her treatments are a phenomenal group of people,” said Phil.

Hannah Miller, 2014 North Dakota Children’s Miracle Network Champion 4 encourage

“The random acts of kindness that happened there every day were truly amazing to see.”

As this year’s North Dakota Children’s Miracle Network Champion, Hannah has begun a new chapter in her incredible journey. She’s been busy representing the state during special events, fundraisers and the national CMN conference in Orlando.

Hannah’s father is proud of his daughter’s accomplishments and the bravery she’s shown in the face of cancer.

“Through Hannah’s entire journey, I began to witness a side to my daughter that I knew was always there, but she had to show it much earlier than I ever expected,” Phil said. “She is truly an amazing, inspiring girl and our family has been blessed with an even closer bond than before.”

You can help make miracles happen for families like the Millers when you support Children’s Miracle Network. Your gifts will provide for state-of-the-art equipment, advanced education opportunities and special services and programs at Sanford Children’s Hospital – the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

To make a gift or to learn more, please visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org or call (701) 234-6246.

Fargo Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Group

Fighting for Life Pancreatic cancer took the life of Babs Coler’s husband, John, only five months after he was diagnosed in June 2010. He had initially been treated for acid reflux, and it wasn’t until he began to have back soreness, that an MRI revealed his tumor.

“There is absolutely nothing worse than sitting beside your best friend, partner, lover and father of your kids and hear, ‘I’m sorry but you have cancer and unfortunately, there are no options,’” Babs said.

Two years after John’s death, Babs met Bonnie Olson through Kevin Wallevand, a regional reporter who had done news stories on both families. Kevin had lost his mom to pancreatic cancer. Bonnie and her family were still reeling from the loss of her husband, Mike, who died in 2012 after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

“So we found a night in November and called it the Purple Walk.”

They expected 50 attendees and hoped for 75, but more than 350 people showed up from around the region for the first-ever Pancreatic Cancer Vigil and Walk in November 2013. Supporters came from Fargo and Moorhead and as far away as Minneapolis.

Babs said many people wanted to donate money, but the group wasn’t prepared at the time to accept donations. The impressive turnout inspired them to establish the

Today campaign, which supports the new Sanford Health medical center being constructed in southwest Fargo as well as the remodeling and expansion of the downtown campus.

Babs said creating the named endowment was important because it will provide perpetual support for pancreatic cancer research.

She’s hopeful that someday soon, scientists will uncover better ways to detect, diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer so other families don’t have to suffer the way hers has.

“One of the things we have found with pancreatic cancer is that the survival rate is so low that there are few people alive to fight for it,” she said. “Family members who have lost someone are using every ounce of energy to move forward after death and so they have no resources to keep fighting this horrible cancer.”

Babs also wants the Wallevand and the endowment to provide hope.

Olson and Coler families shared frustration about “Hope is such an Members of the Fargo-Moorhead Pancreatic Awareness Group take research priorities to Sen. Heidi Heitkamp in Washington, D.C. the lack of routine underestimated word,” she diagnostic tests and said. “Hope inspires; hope Fargo-Moorhead Pancreatic Cancer symptoms for pancreatic cancer. turns possible into fact. Sitting in Awareness Group, a 501(c)(3) Dr. Charlene Card’s office, hearing nonprofit organization to provide “This combination means that the diagnosis and learning death support for other families cancer often is not found until it has was inevitable within six months impacted by pancreatic cancer. progressed so far that the patient is not acceptable. It’s not fair.” is beyond treatment, such as in my The Group also created a $10,000 husband’s situation,” Babs said.

To learn more about the Fargo-Moorhead Pancreatic Cancer Roger Maris Cancer Center, It motivated them to find a way to bring Awareness Group Endowment. The the Building Tomorrow awareness to the Fargo-Moorhead area. generous gift will raise awareness and ensure ongoing financial support Today campaign or to They began by meeting in a coffee shop for pancreatic cancer research and and creating a simple Facebook page. make a gift, please visit genomics research. This endowment sanfordhealthfoundation.org is one of more than 130 endowments “We wanted to see who else might or call the Sanford Health created by Sanford Health supporters have an interest in a local pancreatic Foundation at (701) 234-6246. as part of the Building Tomorrow cancer group,” explained Babs. encourage 5

Sanford becomes Level II Pediatric Trauma Center Since 2011, the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo has worked to achieve Level II Pediatric Trauma Center verification. In June those efforts were acknowledged when The American College of Surgeons verified it as the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in North Dakota.

Hospital in Fargo instead of traveling to the next nearest Level II trauma centers in Sioux Falls or Minneapolis.

“This is a wonderful and much needed asset to our community, state and surrounding region,” said Paul Richard, president of the medical center. “Now children who experience severe or lifethreatening injuries can receive expert care at Sanford Children’s when they need it, close to home.”

The journey to verification covered many rigorous requirements, including the development of additional processes and services, securing specialized equipment and hiring highly-trained specialty pediatric physicians and staff. In the last six months, nine pediatric physicians were hired: Dr. Scott Engum, surgeon and pediatric trauma medical director; Dr. Daniel Rogers, critical care; Dr. Jennifer Mosher, critical care; Dr. Tong Yang, neurosurgeon; Dr. Jon Peterson, orthopedic surgeon; Dr. Venu Parachuri, neurologist; Dr. Jacob Fish, hospitalist; Dr. Chris Cleveland, allergy and immunology; and Dr. Arveity Setty, sleep medicine.

Deb Hanson, pediatric trauma program coordinator, helped build the program to meet the high standards set by the American College of Surgeons. Hanson said the overall trauma program had been Level II for years, but it was important to focus on pediatrics and expand the program.

“We’ve been taking care of injured kids for a long time,” she said. “This is verifying we know what we are doing and we meet the tough criteria to take care of injured kids.”

Children across the state can now be transported to the Sanford Children’s 6 encourage

“We hope this translates to saving many lives because there is an essence of time in any of those serious injuries,” Hanson said.

“We are very fortunate to have all of these specialized physicians on staff here, and as we go forward, we need to have them directing this program,” Hanson said, noting that Dr. Engum is currently the only pediatric surgeon in North

Dakota. “They are all playing an important role in the high level of care that is provided at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo.”

Children’s Miracle Network donors played a part in reaching the Level II verification starting in 2012 when Sanford Children’s partnered with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, a Pediatric Level I Trauma Hospital.

More than $25,000 in funds helped pay for training expenses during this intense mentoring program that resulted in the creation of pediatric-specific care review committees, deeper tracking measurements of children’s care and building of simulation activities.

Generous donors not only support high-tech medical equipment and special programs for children and their families, they are also essential in helping offer educational opportunities for Sanford Children’s medical teams.

To learn more about Children’s Miracle Network or to make a gift, please visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org or call (701) 234-6246.

A Piper Ferguson was born prematurely at just 24 weeks and two days. She barely weighed two pounds and measured only 12 inches long.

For the first 135 days of her life, Piper’s home was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo. She endured 16 blood transfusions, one plasma transfusion and two surgeries during that time. She was also on and off three different ventilators for the first 59 days.

It was a nightmare for Piper’s parents, Tanya and Justin, to watch as their newborn fought for her life. Only a year prior, the couple lost a son when Tanya went into labor at 19 weeks.

named Piper “All the machines that she was on were donated by Children’s Miracle Network,” said Tanya. “That’s what helped her breath for the first 59 days of her life. Without that, she wouldn’t be here. Any time a person can give, it saves lives. It really does.”

If you’d like to help make miracles happen, please visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org and choose Children’s Miracle Network.

“We didn’t understand why or how this could be happening again,” said Tanya.

As scared and anxious as they were, the Fergusons knew Piper was in good hands. As the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network hospital, Sanford Children’s is equipped with the state-of-the-art technology and equipment needed to saves the lives of children like Piper. In time, Piper stabilized and was able to go home with her family. Today, Tanya laughs as she describes Piper as a “spitfire.”

“You wouldn’t even believe all that she’s been through by looking at her. She’s amazing. She amazes us every day.”

Whether it is the tiny infant like Piper, born prematurely, or a child suffering from cancer or battling a life-threatening injury, you help save lives when you give to Children’s Miracle Network.

Piper Ferguson celebrates her first birthday.

The gift of giving There’s no better way to give and receive than to make a gift that helps others. Your gift to the Sanford Health Foundation will go a long way toward helping your friends and family across the region by providing life-saving equipment, expanding programs and services, supporting staff education and ensuring cutting-edge research continues.

To make a gift, visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org

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Sanford Health Foundation Fargo Region PO BOX 2010 Fargo, ND 58122-2399

Calendar of Events January 20

Cares for Kids Dine to Donate Eat at participating restaurants and a percentage of sales will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network. Visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org for a list of participating restaurants.

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK RADIOTHONS January 29-30

Cares for Kids Radiothon Midwest Communication Stations Y94 (93.7 FM) and Froggy 99.9 (99.9 FM)

February 27-28

Miracle Maker Radiothon East Grand Forks, Minn., radio stations XL93 (92.9 FM) and The Fox 96.1 (96.1 FM)

March 19-20

Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon in Bismarck KQ 94.5 (94.5 FM) and Y93 (92.9 FM) Each radiothon will benefit Children’s Miracle Network at Sanford Children’s Hospital.

Find us on Facebook

Sanford Health Foundation – Fargo Region at Facebook.com/SanfordFoundationFargo Children’s Miracle Network Fargo at Facebook.com/CMNFargo

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Thank you for your commitment to health care through the Building Tomorrow Today campaign and the difference you’ve made for so many people in our region!