INSPIRED TO GIVE. INSPIRED TO HEAL. Sanford Health Foundation Fargo Summer 2011 Sanford Health Foundation Sioux Falls Fall 2015
The Gift of Time campaign reaches milestone
New facility to be called Ava’s House
Finding gratitude in the
breast cancer journey Sanford Health Foundation welcomes
new president
Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Pictured: Ava Holder who inspired naming of the new hospice facility.
campaign reaches milestone Ava with mom, Chrisie
Gift of Time Campaign Cabinet Honorary Chairs: Ron and Joanne Moquist Cabinet Chairs: Tom and Crystal Van Wyhe Cabinet Members: Dennis and Julie Anderson Bill Baker Dick and Jane Bohy Jeff Brecht Dr. LuAnn Eidsness Dr. Larry Fenton Paul and Paige Hanson Mike Jerstad Marva McMillen Chris Thorkelson Kristen Zueger Campaign Staff: Amy Bruns, (605) 312-6742 Sue Salter, (605) 312-6759 Bobbie Tibbetts, (605) 312-6711
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Joanne and Ron Moquist
An outpouring of community support for Sanford’s Gift of Time campaign has ensured that construction of an acute-level hospice facility will begin next spring.
Raven Industries in Sioux Falls. “This facility will fill a great need in our community and give people of all ages a place of love and compassion in those final days.”
The new 20-bed facility, located on the campus of the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, will provide 24-hour nursing care in a home-like environment for patients of all ages whose symptoms and pain are beyond the scope of care currently provided at the Sanford Hospice Cottages. It will also offer one of only four in-patient pediatric hospice programs in the country.
Ava’s House
Among the earliest champions of the campaign have been Ron and Joanne Moquist. The couple’s significant lead gift in July helped push the effort nearly half way to its $15 million goal, building momentum for this critical project that depends heavily on philanthropy. “We are proud to be part of this Sanford hospice campaign, and we hope others from the community will join us,” said Ron Moquist, formerly the CEO and president of
In honor of the Moquists’ leadership and generosity, the hospice facility will be named Ava’s House to celebrate the memory of the Moquists’ great niece, Ava Holder, who passed away at just 4 years old. Ava spent most of her young life courageously fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. She was diagnosed at 18 months old and spent more than three years in and out of clinics across the country. Eventually, after every treatment option had been exhausted, and as Ava’s fragile body began to shut down, her family brought her to a pediatric hospice facility near their home in Arizona. It was one of only three in the country to offer in-patient childfocused hospice care, and embraced Ava and her family in peace and comfort during her final days.
“ After hearing the hospice experiences of so many, including my wife’s with her late husband, the need for more acute-level hospice care facilities in our community is apparent; people are responding to the campaign with such compassion and generosity. In addition to the Moquist’s lead gift, we are grateful to many others who have contributed early major gifts to support the $15 million campaign.”
“ Hospice and palliative medicine is not about death and dying. Rather, it is about life and helping people live each day to its fullest potential until the very last breath.” - Dr. Larry Fenton, Campaign Cabinet Member; Chief of Section, Pediatric Palliative Care at Sanford Children’s Hospital
- Tom Van Wyhe, Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair
Gift of Time Campaign at a glance Vision: The 20-bed, in-patient “I didn’t want her to pass away in the hospital or at home,” said Chrisie Funari, Ava’s mom, and Ron and Joanne’s niece. “Hospice is important for the child first, but the whole family benefits from it. We were walked through the process and someone was there 24 hours a day. At home we wouldn’t have had that and it would’ve been scary.” It was through this heartache that the Moquists found inspiration to join Sanford in the Gift of Time campaign. The campaign’s goals aligned with their own wish to give children like Ava in the Sioux Falls region, and their families, somewhere to turn for hospice care. “No parent should have to ask ‘what now?’ or wonder where to go,” said Joanne Moquist. “As a caring, compassionate society, we need to take care of the most vulnerable among us and that’s most definitely children and families facing end-of-life decisions.”
Continuing momentum Thanks to the generosity of the Moquists and many others, the Gift of Time campaign has now
raised a total of $6.3 million toward the $15 million goal. The Sanford Health Foundation will designate $10 million for construction costs and endow the remaining $5 million to support the ongoing operating costs of the facility. “This new hospice facility will be a critical addition to the continuum of care offered to patients of all ages at Sanford,” said Micah Aberson, president of the Sanford Health Foundation. “We’re extraordinarily grateful to the Moquists and all of the donors who have given generously to advance the Gift of Time campaign. We hope others will be inspired by their own hospice experiences to help make Ava’s House a reality.”
Please join us today. Give the gift of time to hospice patients and families…time to focus on just being together at the end of life, with peaceful hearts and minds. Visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org, or contact Amy Bruns, senior major and planned giving officer, at (605) 312-6742 to learn more.
acute-level hospice facility will serve all ages with 24-hour nursing care in a home-like environment. It will also be one of just four in the country to include in-patient pediatric hospice services. The new facility will enhance Sanford’s current hospice services delivered in the hospital, longterm care facilities, respitecare Sanford Hospice Cottages and in-home settings.
Location: 17th Street, between Covell and Lake Avenues on the campus of Sanford USD Medical Center.
Fundraising Goal: $15 million • $10 million: To complete construction. • $5 million: To invest in an endowment fund providing for ongoing operational needs and charity care services. (The land has been contributed by Sanford.)
Timeline: • 2016: Groundbreaking
• 2018: Facility opens to patients encourage 3
Sanford Health Foundation Gift of Time Major Donors (as of Aug. 24, 2015) Micah and Jaclyn Aberson
Lewis Drug
Rich and Melanie Adcock
David and Laurie Link
Dennis and Julie Anderson
Lloyd Companies/Lloyd Family
Miles and Lisa Beacom
Jill and Nate Malloy
Mike and Gale Begeman
Bill and Jan Marlette Family
Daniel and Rebecca Blue
Lois Marshall
Jeffrey R. Brecht
Marva McMillen/Midwest Alarm Co.
Rob and Miriam Broin
MetaBank/Meta Payment Systems
Evan and Lynda Burkett
Michelle and Paul Micka
Randy and Sonia Bury
Cindy and Marv Morrison
Chesterman Family Foundation
Ron and Joanne Moquist
Chris and Molly Clark
Dr. Milton and Ruby Mutch
Dakota Hospital Foundation/ Sanford Vermillion Employees
Dave and Becky Nelson
LuAnn M. Eidsness and Sheila M. Agee
Cade and Erica Peterson
James and Eloise Elmen Foundation Lawrence J.and Gayle Ann Fenton The First National Bank in Sioux Falls Steve and Kim Goetsch Paul and Paige Hanson Jim and Jane Harrenga Dave and Kelly Hasvold Karla and Dave Haugan Dr. Dan and Catherine Heinemann Eric Hilmoe and Meredith Moore Bill and Carolyn Hinks Family Foundation Rachel and Matt Hocks Mona and Eric Hohman Monica and Galynn Huber Sharon and Doug Hunt Dan and Arlene Kirby David L. and Deanna Knudson Heidi and Kelby Krabbenhoft Mike and JoAnn Kunkel
Orion Food Systems Nathan and Megan Peterson Sanford Medical Center Medical Staff Jeff and Katie Scherschligt Craig and Nancy Schoen Schoeneman Family Paula and Jim Slack Scott and Ronna Sletten Charline Smith Richard C. and Kathleen Sweetman Thomas, Rochelle, Liam and Evelyn Sweetman Chris and Kristen Thorkelson Gary and Gena Timmerman Tim and Kathleen Tracy Tom and Crystal Van Wyhe Diana, Skye and Cole VanderWoude Bruce and Mary Viessman Williams Insurance/Tim Donohue Family Bob and Deb Winkels Kristen and Joe Zueger
Thank you to all our generous donors who have supported this important campaign to date. Donors listed above have given or pledged $10,000 or more.
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Sanford Health Foundation welcomes new president The Sanford Health Foundation filled a key leadership position recently with the addition of Micah Aberson as president. Aberson, who joined the Foundation in June, most recently served as vice president of client services and business development at Lawrence & Schiller, a Sioux Falls-based advertising and marketing agency. He began his career there in 2003 and, over the years, served as account executive, director of business development and account supervisor.
“Micah’s energy and ability to cultivate relationships are qualities we looked for in our national search to find a new leader for the Foundation,” said Rich Adcock, Sanford Health executive vice president. “Fundraising is critical in supporting programs at Sanford Health that enhance the lives of the patients we serve in all regions, and we are confident in Micah’s ability to lead those efforts.” As president of the Foundation, Aberson oversees the organization’s operations and fund management, and all fundraising efforts across the entire Sanford Health footprint. He is part of the Sanford Health Development and Research structure as well as Sanford’s Executive Leadership Team.
“For the last 11 years, my greatest satisfaction was building meaningful client relationships and telling stories, which will transfer well into my role as president of the Foundation,” Aberson said.
“ I’m honored to lead this organization into the future and I’m excited about working with our donors to fulfill Sanford Health’s mission of health and healing.” A Sioux Falls native and graduate of Augustana College, Aberson earned his MBA from the University of Sioux Falls. He is married to Jaclyn and they have a daughter, Sutton.
rides to Sioux Falls
Mark your calendar for April 30, 2016! The annual Sanford Health Great American Bike Race, which has been a popular Sanford mainstay in the Bismarck region for nearly two decades, is coming to Sioux Falls for the first time ever. This innovative stationary bike-athon, in Sioux Falls, is a fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network and an opportunity for riders of all ages and abilities to come together and support local sick and injured kids.
As always, 100 percent of funds raised will stay local and benefit children through the purchase of specialized equipment, programs and direct child and family assistance. Registration will open in January 2016. The event will take place at the Sanford Family Wellness Center as a joint effort involving Sanford Family Wellness, the Sanford Wellness Center and the YMCA.
To receive updates about this special event, please subscribe to our e-newsletter at sanfordhealthfoundation.org/ newsletter. Questions may also be directed to Erin Rohrer, Children’s Miracle Network program director, at (605) 312-6753.
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September Events Benefitting:
Sept. 12
Presidents Bowl Football Gold Out Games
Sioux Falls, 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Go gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! Lizzie Nelson, right, and her twin sister Leah Brave Kids Bold Cures (formerly Be Bold. Wear Gold.) is uniting with local schools and communities to paint September gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, gold ribboninspired events will be held across the region to honor the young lives we’ve lost too soon, and those who are facing this devastating disease today. Funds raised will support Brave Kids Bold Cures in its mission to ensure Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls has the capacity and resources to treat children with cancer closer to home. Every dollar will help purchase specialized equipment, further cancer research and assist families with expenses not covered by insurance, such as meals, mileage and lodging. These efforts will make a difference in the lives of children like 5-year-old Lizzie Nelson.
Meet Lizzie Lizzie and her twin sister, Leah, had been typical energetic toddlers. So in 2013, their parents grew concerned when they saw Lizzie becoming increasingly pale and listless. When they noticed odd bruises on her back, they knew she needed to see a doctor right away. At the doctor’s, Lizzie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. She was sent straight to Sanford Children’s Hospital. Her treatment, which has included nearly two years of chemotherapy, started before she even left the hospital. This August, Lizzie celebrated her 5th birthday, and her final treatment. “We are blessed to have a wonderful hospital with excellent doctors,” said Lizzie’s mother, Linda.
Learn how you can get involved this September, and all year round, at bravekidsboldcures.com. 6 encourage
South Dakota State University Football Gold Out Game Brookings, 6 p.m.
Sept. 24
Cadillac for a Cure
Luxury Auto Mall, Sioux Falls, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Enjoy vendors, raffle prizes and more with $25 entry fee. To register or learn more, email bkbcsf@sanfordhealth.org.
Sept. 26
Brave Shave Bold Colors Stewart School, Sioux Falls, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Challenge friends and family to donate and have their hair shaved or colored gold to honor kids fighting cancer.
Augustana College Football Gold Out Game Sioux Falls, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7
USD Football Childhood Cancer Awareness Game and Walk
Vermillion, 10:30 a.m. (walk); 1p.m. (game) Visit bravekidsboldcures.com to learn more.
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ach year, more than 34,000 women across the Sioux Falls region are screened for breast cancer at Sanford Health. For most, it’s another appointment crossed off the list. Peace of mind for another year. But for many others, it’s the beginning of a terrifying new journey. In her mid-40s, with no family history of cancer, Kelli Koepsell never thought she’d face breast cancer. But in 2014, her annual mammogram detected three tumors in her left breast. “One woman in eight will get breast cancer. I knew the stat, but never once did I ever think it would be me,” she said. After her doctor called to confirm the diagnosis, Kelli sat down to collect herself. Her mind cycled through emotions of anger, disbelief and fear, before finally settling on determination. “I am a mom of three girls; I need to be there for them. I was thinking, ‘I don’t have time for this,’” she told us. “I decided I was going to get up and keep going. I wasn’t going to let cancer win.” Kelli chose to have both breasts removed, followed by reconstruction. “It was hands down the most difficult, painful experience of my life. I was hurting so much on the inside and outside,” she said of the surgeries and recovery. Even today, more than a year later, the pain is still vivid in her mind. But Kelli is grateful to be a survivor.
Finding gratitude in the breast cancer journey Kelli Koepsell, third from left, with her three daughters She is also grateful for the care and compassion she received from family, friends and her oncology team at the Edith Sanford Breast Center. “I can’t tell you how good it felt to know that I was being taken care of by such a phenomenal medical team. Feeling comfortable and confident in their care let me focus on myself,” she said. “I always felt like I was never going to be sick, like I was never going to need all that Sanford offers. But when the time came, I was certainly glad to be where I was. That was a blessing.” It’s impossible to know what tomorrow will bring, but together, we can ensure
the highest standard of personalized breast care is right here when it’s needed. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, please join us in advancing cuttingedge research and care at Sanford through the Edith Sanford Breast Foundation. Make a donation today or raise funds by joining TeamEdith. For the 34,000 women in the Sioux Falls region who trust Sanford with their breast health each year and for the 1,400 women, like Kelli, who will be diagnosed with breast cancer, your support will make a difference.
Visit edithsanford.org to learn more.
IT WILL TAKE A TEAM TO END BREAST CANCER. Join TeamEdith, the national fundraising team supporting the Edith Sanford Breast Foundation! Every dollar raised will advance cutting-edge genomics research to help find the cures. Faster. Get involved at edithsanford.org.
Women Uniting Against Breast Cancer United more than 100 women and men from the Sioux Falls community to contribute and commit to progress. Together, they raised more than $13,000 in 10 days to begin an endowment that will support Edith Sanford’s mission for years to come.
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Sanford Health Foundation PO Box 5039 Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5039
Calendar of Events Sept. 12-13
Sioux Falls Marathon, Half-Marathon and Miracle 5K Sioux Falls, S.D. Sanford Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network will be the featured charities.
Oct. 7-8
Hub City Radio Power of Hope Radiothon presented by NVC Broadcast live from Aberdeen, S.D. Tune in and be inspired by the special children at Sanford Children’s Hospital, the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
Oct. 22-23
Midwest Communications Radiothon for Kids presented by Wheel City Auto Broadcast live from Sioux Falls, S.D. Hear inspiring stories about the special children at Sanford Children’s Hospital, the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
Nov. 14
Fashionista Miracles presented by Stewart School The District, Sioux Falls, S.D. Enjoy a live fashion show and dance, live statue modeling, local clothing vendor booths, food and much more at this special event benefiting Children’s Miracle Network.
Stay in touch! Subscribe to our new monthly e-newsletter at sanfordhealthfoundation.org/newsletter to learn more about events and the progress you help make possible.
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