LMH Health Cancer Center expansion project strengthened by philanthropy

Support for the LMH Health Cancer Center expansion has grown significantly over the past year, with community members and donors giving more than $6.5 million to the project so far.

LMH Health Foundation publicly announced its commitment in 2021 to raise as much of the anticipated $9–$11 million cost as possible. The much-needed project will update the LMH Health Cancer Center’s space and greatly expand its square footage at its current Maine Street location. In 2022, the LMH Health Foundation received two major grants to support the cancer center expansion project: $2 million from the Kansas City-based Sunderland Foundation and $300,000 from the Capitol Federal Foundation.

“Our cancer center has seen incredible growth, which has led to this opportunity for expansion,” said Sherri Soule, MD. “It is critical to the people we serve that we find a way to expand and update the cancer center, especially as studies show that patients have better outcomes when treated close to home.”

Dana Anderson makes $10 million gift commitment

Lawrence resident Dana Anderson made a $10 million gift commitment to the LMH Health Foundation. The commitment is the largest in both the foundation’s 53-year history and the hospital’s 102-year history.

Anderson and his late wife, Sue, have been longtime supporters of LMH Health, a not-for-profit community hospital serving patients in Douglas County and the surrounding area. LMH Health has renamed the Lawrence Health Plaza the Anderson Health Plaza in honor of Sue and Dana’s longtime and generous support.

Earl Reineman, major and planned gifts manager for the foundation, said the gift is a tremendous honor for the hospital and the community.

“The leadership and generosity that Dana and Sue have provided over the years has been nothing short of inspirational,” said Reineman. “In so many different ways, the Andersons have supported the hospital’s commitment to exceptional care for all.”

“The gift will support vital hospital needs,” said Anderson. “And it’s the perfect way for the family to recognize the giving spirit that Sue worked to instill in all of us. We know how proud she would be to see this happen. She always recognized the importance of LMH Health to the quality of life in Douglas County.”

Your gifts at work

Donors like you make great things happen at LMH Health — including these projects you made possible in 2022:

Insulin and other diabetes medications for patients in need

Medications and medical equipment for patients in need after a hospital stay