Sanford Health Foundation Thief River Falls Fall 2017
After facing cancer twice
Jill LaBine is stronger than ever
Jill, center front, and her Sanford Infusion Center nurses
Save the date for Kings of the Wings
because I would see them,” LaBine said. “Even with my diagnosis and not knowing what’s going to happen in my life, they brought hope to me.”
On the front cover, Jill LaBine is pictured with Linda Schultz, Brooke Hoefer and Amy Petrovich, nurses at the infusion center.
After the treatments and a successful stem cell transplant, she celebrated remission for nearly a year. “I got back to work full time in Thief River and everything was going wonderfully,” she said. “My back was feeling great and I felt like I was back to normal.”
After facing cancer twice, Jill LaBine is stronger than ever Leading up to Jill LaBine’s 50th birthday, life couldn’t get any sweeter. Her first grandchild was on the way. And if she wasn’t gardening or antique shopping, she was with her second family at Sanford Thief River Falls where she has worked as a registered nurse for more than 25 years. “Some people hate the thought of turning 50, but I was looking forward to it,” she said. “I was going to be a grandma, and then this hit.” Back spasms LaBine often blamed on her physically demanding job were becoming more of problem. Then one day at home while doing laundry, she tripped on some clothes lying on the floor. “I bounced off the wall and the pain was excruciating,” she recalled. “I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life.” LaBine finally realized there might be something more seriously wrong than just an achy back. And she was right. An MRI revealed three compression fractures — indicating an unusual level of weakened bone mass for a 50-year-old. Doctor’s pursued more testing until they discovered the true source of LaBine’s pain: cancer 2 encourage
cells in her bone marrow. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. “I was a very healthy person up until then,” LaBine said. “I went to the doctor for my routine checks every year. I wasn’t on any medication. I never had any surgery in my life. To go from that to this diagnosis took a long time to set in.” During this time of uncertainty, LaBine leaned on her faith, her immediate family and especially her Sanford family for support. “I’ve been so blessed because I’ve got my family, I’ve got my coworkers and my Sanford family around me,” she said. The network of Sanford specialists developed a treatment plan specifically for LaBine. It included oral medication and chemotherapy in the form of a shot, administered conveniently at the Sanford Thief River Falls infusion center down the hall from her workstation. “Being so close played a big part in me being able to get the rest that I needed,” she said. And it brought her peace of mind to be cared for by nurses she knew so well. “When I would go there, I didn’t feel like I was in this deep dark hole
But during a routine exam, her doctor found a soft lump in her breast, which turned out to be an aggressive type of breast cancer. Fortunately, it was caught early, in stage 1. LaBine’s fight continued this year with chemotherapy, mastectomy and radiation. Although she is disheartened and frustrated to battle a second cancer diagnosis, she knows she’s in good hands at Sanford Thief River Falls. She’s as close as ever with the Sanford Infusion Center nurses.
One-stop destination for fitness and fun
A new website for a new era of care The Sanford Health Foundation has launched a new website to better reflect our growing impact and the cutting-edge work that your philanthropy makes possible.
Thanks to the many generous donors who rallied behind the Unite fundraising campaign, the renovated Sanford Health Thief River Falls Wellness Center is open to the community.
Now, there’s a section devoted to the Thief River Falls community where you can discover events and campaigns, read local stories of impact and much more. It’s also easier to give to whatever areas inspire you most.
Funds raised helped fill the facility with fitness and recreation equipment so people of all ages can explore new activities and develop healthy, active habits that will last a lifetime.
Visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org to start exploring!
Thank you for all of your support!
“My Sanford family is right there with me, encouraging me all the way,” she said. LaBine knows now more than ever how important it is to have services and facilities, like the Sanford Infusion Center, available close to home. “Hopefully cancer will never affect a person in their lifetime, but if it does, having this facility here is invaluable,” she said.
Please consider a gift today to support the Sanford Infusion Center in Thief River Falls through the new Building Exceptional Health Care campaign. As we look to the next decade and beyond, this campaign will support the future of health and wellness here to help meet rising health care needs. Submit the enclosed envelope or visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org to make a gift!
Give what matters most Hope. Health. Healing.
Your gift to the Sanford Health Foundation Thief River Falls today will help care for loved ones and neighbors in 2018 and beyond. Please use the enclosed envelope to make your tax-deductible gift before Dec. 31. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support.
Happy holidays!
encourage 3
Sanford Sanford Sanford Health Health Foundation Thief River PO Box 609Falls 120 LaBreeND Ave. S Hillsboro, 58045 Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Kings of the wings SAVE THE DATE
The annual Kings of the Wings cook-off event is returning to Thief River Falls! This time around, the Sanford Health Foundation is joining forces with the Norskies hockey team to present an evening of family-friendly fun. After enjoying mouth-watering wings, we’ll cheer on the Norskies as they face the Thunder Bay North Stars.
The most recent Kings of the Wings event in 2016 raised $25,000 to provide equipment for the renovated Sanford Wellness Center. Let’s set a new record in 2018! 4 encourage 039028-00474 10/17
When: February 10, 2018 Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena Imperial Room Benefiting: All proceeds will benefit the Foundation’s new Building Exceptional Health Care campaign, which aims to advance urgent priorities at Sanford Health Thief River Falls. Interested? Contact Teresa Fay at (218) 683-4105 or teresa.fay@sanfordhealth.org. We’re still looking for contestant chefs, sponsors and volunteers!