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Welcome from the Foundation
ROBERT O. KLEIN President and CEO Saint John's Health Center Foundation
MARY FLAHERTY Chair Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Board of Trustees
The holidays are a time for togetherness, and like most of 2020, they arrive this year with unprecedented challenges. Under the dark umbrella of a pandemic—with social restrictions once again upon us and family and friends held at a distance for safety—feelings of isolation and separateness may weigh on us now more than any time of year. However, with every great and temporary challenge (and this is temporary), we rise to overcome but also to reach out and support one another in different ways.
The concept and feeling of togetherness is truly alive and well this holiday season, as you’ll see on the following pages. Together we are discovering innovative ways to treat and cure cancer, provide for the health and education needs of our youth, create a special place for women’s health and wellness, and leave a legacy of health for future generations.
You’ll read about a $100,000 crowdfunding effort by an inspiring young woman who wanted to honor her mother and her mother’s doctor, and a transformative gift of $8 million for advancing immunotherapy research and treatments in the fight against cancer. Both gifts were made with the intent to help not just future patients who may be faced with similar struggles but for the benefit of us all.
The thoughtfulness and generosity of these donors, as well as others mentioned in these pages, warms our hearts as they join our physicians, researchers and caregivers in doing the important work of caring for the sick and vulnerable. It’s a form of togetherness that challenges us to reach beyond our immediate loved ones this holiday season and to embrace those we have never met and may never meet.
We’re so grateful for all the support we’ve received this year from you, our generous community. Because of you and our amazing caregivers, this coming year is sure to be merry and bright. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
