Sanford update: Breaking ground for children

Foundation
FOCUS
Summer 2007
Carlsons commit $1 million to Sanford Children’s Hospital
In late 2006, Henry and Eleanor
Carlson committed $1 million in memory
of Henry Carlson, Sr., to help propel the
Sanford Children’s Challenge to its goal.
In recognition of the Carlson’s
generosity the lobby in the new Sanford
Children’s Hospital will be named in
their honor.
The Carlsons have a long standing
philanthropic relationship with Sanford
Health. They first established the
Carlson Family Children’s Cancer Care
Endowment Fund in 1994, after their
granddaughter, Anna, was diagnosed
with cancer. Dr. Richard Friess, a longtime Sanford Health physician,
examined Anna after she suddenly
developed a very high fever and
determined quickly that something was
seriously wrong. A series of blood tests
confirmed his suspicion—the sevenyear-old had Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia, or ALL.
Early diagnosis of ALL is crucial for
treatment to be successful and the
Carlson family knows it was
instrumental in Anna’s survival. “Dr.
Friess’ expertise in diagnosing Anna’s
condition was extremely important,”
Henry and Eleanor Carlson
said Chip Carlson, son of Henry and
Eleanor and father of Anna. Today, Anna
is a senior at Augustana College,
majoring in chemistry, and remains
cancer free. She plans a career in the
medical field.
The Carlson’s endowment is currently
one of the largest endowed funds at the
Sanford Health Foundation. It generates
tens of thousands of dollars annually to
support and enhance the pediatric cancer
program. At the time of Anna’s diagnosis
in 1993, there were no Pediatric
Oncologists on staff at Sanford
Children’s. Today the pediatric oncology
program includes two fellowship-trained
Pediatric Oncologists, the only three
APHON (Association of Pediatric
Hematology Oncology Nurses) in the
region and state of South Dakota, and a
team of dedicated medical professionals.
In addition, Sanford Children’s is the
state’s only Children’s Oncology Group
affiliated institution, and is the
designated and federally-funded
Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC)
for the state of South Dakota.
“We’re so grateful for Henry and
Eleanor’s vision,” said Brian Mortenson,
President of the Sanford Health
Foundation. “They saw what was needed
and they worked to make it available.
And we’re appreciative of the momentum
their continued vision and leadership is
providing for the Sanford Children’s
Challenge as we celebrate
groundbreaking and move into the next
phase of fundraising.”
Sanford update: Breaking ground for children!
On May 23 thousands of people
gathered to celebrate the official
groundbreaking for Sanford Children’s
Hospital. The day included a program
and children’s activities with the Siouxland
Renaissance Association.
Earlier this year, thanks to the
generosity of thousands of donors, the
initial Sanford Children’s Challenge
fundraising goal of $32 million was met.
The Sanford Health Foundation will now
move into the next phase of the campaign,
raising $100 million in endowment
Marya McCrae, Amy Bruns or Brian
funding to provide perpetual support for
Mortenson at 605-328-5700.
Sanford Children’s Hospital and related
pediatric programs.
Many giving
opportunities remain for
those wishing to make a
permanent impact on
the children of this
region. To establish a
named endowment or
sponsor a room at
Sanford Children’s
You can keep tabs on construction progress by visiting
Hospital, please call
www.sanfordhealthfoundation.org and clicking on the webcam.
Making Connections Through Parish Nursing
“I’m running on empty,” is how Erin
Horstmeyer described her physical and
emotional state the first time she met
Judi Schwerin, Parish Nurse at Gloria
Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.
For Erin and her husband, Jeff, the
last five years have held the greatest joy
they’ll ever know and the greatest
challenge they’ll ever experience. Their
five-year-old son, Sam, was born with
congenital microcephaly (small head
size) which for Sam, results in blindness,
a seizure disorder, Gastro-Intestinal
Reflux Disorder, and developmental
delays. “Sam requires constant care and
attention,” Erin said. “He doesn’t walk,
eat on his own, or sleep independently,
and he challenges us every day with his
strength and weight.”
The Parish Nurse Endowment of the
Sanford Health Foundation provided
funds to Gloria Dei to begin its Parish
Nurse Program. “My role as a Parish
Nurse is to be a connector,” Judi said. “I
find out about people’s physical and
emotional needs and connect them with
community and medical resources and
with individuals in our congregation
with the gifts, talents, and desire to meet
those needs.”
Judi is an answer to prayer for the
Horstmeyers. They now have four
Ann Nachtigal, Gloria Dei church
member, delivers a home-cooked meal to
the Horstmeyers.
and Jeff a respite.
The Horstmeyers are grateful for the
care and compassion they received from
their church family as a result of the
Parish Nurse program. “It has made a
great difference for our family,” Erin
said. “Judi took the burden of asking for
help off our shoulders.”
The Parish Nurse Endowment
provides funding to many area churches
to start and maintain their Parish Nurse
programs. Funds are provided
specifically for training and education
and start-up dollars for new health
projects. To support the Parish Nurse
Endowment Fund visit
www.sanfordhealthfoundation.org and
click on “Make a Gift Today.”
reserved seats on Sunday mornings
at church, three for their family,
and one for the volunteer caregiver
who takes care of Sam during the
service, so Erin’s and Jeff’s
spiritual needs can be met, as well.
“It may seem like a small thing to
most people,” Erin said. “But to us,
it’s huge.”
Judi has also lined up help for
the Horstmeyers at home. Church
members bring meals and take
shifts caring for Sam to give Erin
Sam listens to Judi recite a finger play, while they
clap together…one of Sam’s favorite pastimes.
Planning Ahead. Why Do So Few Do It?
Throughout our life we are told to
“plan ahead.” When our first child is
born, we plan ahead for college. We plan
what time we’ll get up. Where we’ll
vacation this year. And many visionary
folks plan for their retirement – where
they’ll live, what kinds of assets they’ll
need, and so on.
So why do 70% of us depart this life
without planning ahead by drafting a
will? Perhaps we struggle in dealing
with our own mortality. Perhaps we just
haven’t gotten around to it. But this
lack of planning has the potential to
cause problems, chief of which is
without a valid will, the most crucial
decisions—who determines who
controls what we’ve worked for and
created during our lifetime and who gets
what—are taken out of our control.
They are decided by the state.
Many very thoughtful people have
made no provisions for the management
and distribution of their assets after their
deaths. And since something must be
done with your real and personal
property after your death, the South
Dakota Legislature has provided a
method for dividing it among heirs if
you have failed to make other
arrangements. While these laws may
make sense for many people, your
preferences for the distribution of
property may be different. If so, you
should make a written will.
Taking the time now to plan ahead
will be one of the most important and
rewarding decisions you and your family
will ever make. And we hope when you
do, you’ll consider leaving the Sanford
Health Foundation a bequest in your
will. When you and others like you
leave a portion of your estate to Sanford
Health Foundation, you help guarantee
that we’ll be able to continue our healing
mission far into the future.
If you have questions or are in need
of information about leaving a bequest,
please call Marya McCrae, Major Gifts
Officer, at 605-328-5705.
Music to Our Ears
The generosity
of South Dakota
communities came
shining through
during two
separate
radiothons held
this spring, both
benefiting
Children’s Miracle
John Wiik of KSDR in Watertown holds son
Network at
Sanford Children’s Connor while speaking on-air about Children’s
Miracle Network. Connor spent 15 days in the
Hospital.
NICU when he was born.
Members of KJAM’s Madison radiothon prepare to present
In Madison,
their check for more than $19,000 to Children’s Miracle
KJAM’s Jammin’ for Kids
Network.
Radiothon held March 28-30 raised
nearly $20,000, while Watertown’s
will provide. “We all hope that it’s
children helped by CMN as well as
KSDR/KS93 Radiothon brought in
never our own children needing
interviews with CMN families.
more than $58,000 during its Threeassistance,” one DJ said. “But it’s
Staffs at both stations were
Day Radiothon for Kids April 11-13.
good to know that help is there if we
pleased to host the radiothons, and
The events feature stories of area
do.”
proud of the help the funds raised
Dancing Their Way into the Hearts of Kids
Again this year, students of South
Dakota State University, and the
University of South Dakota
dedicated themselves to producing
successful Dance Marathons for the
kids served by Children’s Miracle
Network.
Undeterred by blizzard
conditions, the SDSU Dance
Marathon team, led by Ryan Prouty,
spent February 24 treating Miracle
Families to sights, sounds, and tastes
“Around the World.” The kids
created scrapbooks detailing the
day’s events, played games, met
college athletes, and learned an
exciting morale dance. In total these
amazing students raised more than
$27,000 for CMN.
For 24 hours beginning the
morning of March 31, the USD
Dance Marathon team, led by Jia
Huber, rallied around the Miracle
kids “On Safari.” The students
worked tirelessly throughout the
year staging roof sits, providing
parents’ nights out, and recruiting
sponsors, ultimately raising almost
$40,000. USD holds a 24-hour
Dance Marathon to show students a
Arya Molina,
10, of Gary,
dances up a
storm during
the USD
Dance
Marathon. She
had the
privilege of
attending both
USD’s and
SDSU’s events
and said “They
were the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.”
some fun dances.
According to Harry and Mary Jo
Boner, parents of Miracle Child
Spencer Boner, “It’s wonderful to
see these young adults, who, with all
the stresses of college life, are still
taking time and an interest in a
purely humanitarian event. They
make it so much fun for the CMN
kids. They are great role models. If
we were their parents, we’d truly be
proud of them.”
small taste of the tireless
hours CMN parents spend
distressing about their sick
and injured children.
According to team
members, “These parents
don’t get a break. They
spend sleepless nights
worrying about their
children. This is a small
sample of their constant lack
of sleep.” The CMN kids in
attendance enjoyed creating
artwork, exploring a fire
truck and ambulance,
Lane Smith-Mclain, center, of Gary dances with SDSU
playing games, and learning students during the school’s dance marathon event.
Gifts of Celebration
Honoring those we respect and admire…Remembering those we have lost.
A gift to the Sanford Health
Foundation is a meaningful way to
remember your loved ones while
helping advance quality health care in
our community. Your gift can touch
the lives of many people right here in
so many ways.
Your gift to Sanford Health may:
• Celebrate a birthday or anniversary
• Honor your children or other
family members
• Memorialize the death of a loved
one
• Show your appreciation to the
physicians, nurses, and other staff
who are part of our outstanding
health care community.
All Honor and Memorial gifts over
$500 are permanently recognized in
our Memorial Garden and Chapel
with an engraved name plate.
We invite you to take a moment to
think of someone who has made a
difference in your life and make a gift.
You may donate by completing the
form below, by visiting our website —
www.sanfordhealthfoundation.org,
or by calling the Sanford Health
Foundation office at 605-328-5700.
Gifts of Celebration
Our mother and wife, Evelyn Johnson, was diagnosed with
Ovarian Cancer in March 2004. Our family is grateful to
Dr. Bell and her staff for the compassionate care they provided
to her.Tthey were always honest and at the same time never
took her hope from her. She died at Sanford Hospital on
September 11, 2005 with hope very much alive in her heart.
Our gift to the Bell/Schmidt-Grimminger Endowment Fund
symbolizes her continued hope that someday they will find a
way to prevent gynecological cancers.
~ Family of Evelyn Johnson
“Our son was in the hospital over
Thanksgiving. We are grateful to the staff at
Sanford Health who are there 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year to care for
patients like our son Lucas. We wanted to do
something meaningful to show our appreciation
and a tribute gift was the perfect way to extend
our gratitude.”
~ The Rodmans
You are invited to honor the memory of a loved one or recognize a special occasion
or person through a Gift of Celebration to Sanford Health Foundation,
1305 W. 18th Street• PO Box 5039 • Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5039
My Gift is:
IN MEMORY OF (name of person deceased) ______________________________________________________________________
IN HONOR OF ______________________________________________________________________________________________
GIFT GIVEN BY:
Your name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________City: ___________________________ State:______Zip: __________________________
Phone:_________________________________________Email: ________________________________________________________
PLEASE SEND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MY GIFT TO:
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________City: ___________________________ State:______Zip: __________________________
Enclosed is my gift of $_____________________
n I would like my gift used however it might best serve the needs at Sanford Health
n I would like my gift used for _________________________________________
Your gift will be acknowledged individually, and notification of your gift will be sent to the honoree or loved ones of the person for
whom this gift is made. The amount of the gift, however, remains confidential. Thank you for your kindness.
Honoring Karen
The name Karen Rohr has been
synonymous with “baby deliveries”
for longer than most of us can
remember. Chances are, she
delivered you or your children, and
in some cases, both. Karen, who just
retired, delivered more than 14,000
babies in her 42 years as an
obstetrical nurse at Sanford USD
Medical Center.
In contrast to the joy Karen has
shared with families in her job,
helping parents deal with their
baby’s death has been another
passion close to her heart. After
attending a seminar where she
learned about the “empty arms
syndrome” experienced by mothers
who have lost their babies, Karen
made it her mission to help parents
through these heart-rending,
anguished situations. Years later,
parents still thank her for helping
them in that tragic, defining moment
of their lives. “It has been my
privilege to walk with parents
through this most difficult time,”
Karen said. “It’s where I’ve had the
chance to make the most difference.”
There are countless other ways in
which Karen Rohr has made a
difference. She started a special
Karen Rohr, RN
father-child bonding practice,
immediately wrapping the baby in a
blanket and placing him inside the
father’s shirt, next to his skin.
Fathers relished this special
connection with their infant.
She also sat with pregnant
mothers who had to stay in the
hospital for complete bed rest.
These mothers, who are not
necessarily ill, got restless and bored
and missed their other children and
their husbands. They and Karen
built a friendship that in many cases
continues even today. In fact, Karen
stays in touch with hundreds of her
former patients.
For most of her 42 years, Karen
Gifts of Celebration
My Gift is:
IN HONOR OF n Karen Rohr
assumed the tasks of preceptor for
nursing and medical students, as
well as for the residents. She
mentored new labor and delivery
staff, a crucial and time-consuming
responsibility. She is especially
pleased to know these medical
professionals carry with them the
knowledge base learned here as they
live and work in the far-flung
corners of our country.
When asked what has given her
life meaning, Karen humbly replies,
“I live to give my life to others. I
would rather give than receive.”
Karen Rohr has given four
decades of her life to serving the
patients of Sanford Health. Her
patients and co-workers are her
family. The Sanford Health
Foundation has established an
endowment fund in Karen’s name to
support the programs and services of
Labor and Delivery. If you are one
of the thousands whose life has been
touched by Karen, we hope you will
consider making a gift in her honor.
You may donate by completing the
form below, by visiting our website –
www.sanfordhealthfoundation.org,
or by calling the Sanford Health
Foundation at 605-328-5700.
You are invited to honor the memory of a loved one or recognize a special occasion
or person through a Gift of Celebration to Sanford Health Foundation,
1305 W. 18th Street• PO Box 5039 • Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5039
n Other________________________________________________
IN MEMORY OF (name of person deceased) ______________________________________________________________________
GIFT GIVEN BY:
Your name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________City: ___________________________ State:______Zip: __________________________
Phone:_________________________________________Email: ________________________________________________________
Enclosed is my gift of $_____________________
n I would like my gift used however it might best serve the needs at Sanford Health
n I would like my gift to be directed to the Karen Rohr Fund for Labor and Delivery
Thank You. Your gift will be acknowledged individually, and notification of your gift will be sent to the honoree. The amount of the
gift, however, remains confidential.
Tears of Sadness Turn to Tears of Joy at Bloom The Boutique
across the region.
Many cancer patients are met with
One recipient, Lynn
the reality of hair loss due to the
Dykshorn, began her battle
aggressive treatments
with Recurring Ovarian
necessary to fight their
Cancer five years ago.
disease. “For most people,
During that time, Lynn
especially women, hair
has undergone a complete
loss is devastating,” said
hysterectomy and several
Jill Kirby, manager of
rounds of chemotherapy.
Bloom The Boutique,
Without hair for much of
Sanford Cancer Center’s
this time, she has worn
new one-stop retail shop
hats, scarves, or wigs that
where cancer patients can
had been given to her. “With
find fashions, wigs, cosmetics
all of the medical expenses and
and prostheses.
other financial priorities, a new wig
“While we at Bloom can’t take
Lynn
Dykshorn
chats
with
Bloom’s
just didn’t fit into the budget,”
away their disease, we can help
Cosmetologist, Donna Harrison,
said Lynn, who now is the proud
them minimize and manage its
while having her new wig styled.
owner of a wig from Bloom.
effects.” Their efforts are made
Lynn and her husband, Loren, have a great
possible thanks to a recent $40,000 grant from the
outlook on life which they attribute to their
Sanford Health Foundation to provide wigs, freestrong faith and support of friends and family.
of-charge, to cancer patients.
Even so, Lynn says, “It’s amazing what a little
The wig program is designed to help cancer
make-up and a comfortable stylish wig can do for
patients meet their needs with strength and style.
your attitude.”
“I watch them as they come in the door with tears
A Wig Distribution Fund has been established
because of the physical effects of their disease,”
at the Sanford Health Foundation to ensure onsaid Donna Harrison, Bloom Cosmetologist. “But
going funding is available to provide wigs
while they’re here, something amazing happens.
free-of-charge to cancer patients. To support this
Those tears of sadness turn to tears of joy and
program, please visit
they leave the salon smiling with the strength to
www.sanfordhealthfoundation.org, click on
fight another day.”
“Make a Gift Today”, then “Wig Distribution
Since Bloom opened in February, nearly 100
Fund.”
wigs have been given to cancer patients from all
To make a gift
Calendar of Events
June
August
JUNE 12
The Sioux Falls Cosmopolitan Evening Club
“Cosmo Comedy for a Cure” ~ featuring Kathleen Dunbar
Nitwit’s Comedy Club - Tickets are $15, 2 for $25 or 10 for $100
For tickets call 328-5700 or email selgests@sanfordhealth.org.
Proceeds benefit CMN to support families with diabetic needs.
AUGUST 11
Sioux Valley Nursing Alumni Reunion
Registration 9 am
Sanford USD Medical Center Concourse
JUNE 16
Sanford Health Walleye Classic
4th Annual Sanford Walleye Classic “Casting for Kids”
Fishing Tournament, in Chamberlain.
Proceeds benefit CMN. To register call 333-6347.
JUNE 24
Sioux Falls Canaries Fun Run
Call 333-0179 for more information. Proceeds benefit CMN.
September
SEPTEMBER 9
3rd Annual Un-Run to benefit Camp Bring It On
For more information call 328-7157.
SEPTEMBER 9
Sioux Falls Half Marathon and Miracle 5K
To register visit www.siouxfallshalfmarathon.com.
All proceeds benefit CMN.
Our Purpose
Generous care of patients and their families, research and education, clinical innovation,
community health service–these are the meaningful purposes of the Sanford Health
Foundation. This Foundation prospers through the generosity of Sanford Health,
individuals, families and corporations that believe in and respond philanthropically to
this cause. Our mission seeks to enhance the lives, health and hope of patients and
communities served by Sanford Health. Together, we are dedicated to the work of
healing.
Help Us Heal
Have you remembered the Sanford Health Foundation in your will?
We would like to add your name to our Sanford Health Foundation Legacy Society.
Please call Marya McCrae or Brian Mortenson at 605-328-5700.
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 551
SIOUX FALLS, SD
Sanford Health Foundation
1305 W. 18th Street
PO Box 5039
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5039
(605) 328-5700