If you are visiting Chattanooga, Tennessee, in January be prepared to see pink.

The city has declared the week leading up to Memorial Health Care System Foundation’s annual breast cancer gala fundraiser as Color Chattanooga Pink! Week — a way for the community to visually show its support for breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment.

On Friday, January 13, 2023, Chattanooga Deputy Director of the Office of Community Health and Safety Dr. Geeta Maharaj presented a proclamation for the event. This has become an annual tradition since it was first enacted six years ago as a way for those who could not attend the gala to still support the cancer center and its patients, families and staff.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for the Chattanooga community to be creative and show support for the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center,” said Jennifer Nicely, foundation President and Chief Development Officer. “The response was inspiring with a multitude of businesses and individuals participating. Buildings were awash in pink, employees were encouraged to wear pink, retailers highlighted their pink merchandise, schools had ‘pink out’ basketball games, and much more.”

For the past 18 years the Pink! gala has been held in Chattanooga to raise funds to support the nationally recognized MaryEllen Locher Breast Center.

Jennifer added that Color Chattanooga Pink! week has become a community-wide movement focused on education and encouraging individuals to take care of themselves through screening efforts. As part of the event, the hospital’s two mobile mammography buses — both completely funded through philanthropy — are open to the public for screenings all week. The mobile units tout "No Insurance, No Problem," accessing state programs, grants through the foundation, and relationships with specialists to ensure everyone has access to screening and any follow-up care needed.

Businesses, restaurants, retailers, schools and individuals all participate in various related activities.

For the past 18 years the Pink! gala has been held in Chattanooga to raise funds to support the nationally recognized MaryEllen Locher Breast Center. Generous philanthropic support from the community has ensured that top-notch breast cancer detection and treatment capabilities are available close to home for people in and around Chattanooga. Last year, more than 30,000 patients were served by the center, regardless of their ability to pay.

Pink! 2023 was Memorial Foundation’s 18th annual gala and raised a net cash total of $432,800. The generosity of the sold-out crowd of 1,100 guests helped bring the total amount raised during 18 years of this annual fundraising gala to more than $5.6 million.

Pink! proceeds will add enhanced lymphedema treatment care to the Chattanooga community. Over the past few years, funds raised through Pink! have expanded access to mammography throughout the region, helped purchase the latest in equipment and provided care to uninsured patients or those struggling to afford care. Funds will also be used to provide scholarships for children who have a parent with breast cancer and add to the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center endowment.

Paula McBrady’s career was inspired by a nursing kit her parents gifted her when she was just six years old.

When she entered Virginia Mason Franscican Health’s St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Tacoma, Washington, Paula met fellow students, Gwen, Kathy and Betty, who would become her lifelong friends.

“We had the most fun and we learned a lot together. Nursing school was hard, we supported each other through those first confronting experiences of losing a patient and learning the very particular protocols for medical care,” Paula says.

A few years into her career, Paula’s life took an unexpected turn when she met Dick McBrady while dancing at the Golden Tide Restaurant in Ballard, which often hosted live bands. One of the first things Dick made clear to Paula was that he loved to dance.

They soon began a 44-year marriage filled with humor, dancing and support for each other. When they married, Paula also became a stepmom to Dick’s two young sons and the four of them spent lots of time together.

Paula spent the majority of her career working with oncology patients in the hospital and in the clinic. She also loved her time working in the nursery with newborns. Both experiences helped her become familiar with the specifics of end-of-life care.

“The education I received at St. Joseph's School of Nursing, helped me view nursing not just as being a clinically proficient RN but as a vocation,” she said.

“I relied on Franciscan Hospice to guide me through the last few months with my husband and I am grateful to everyone who was there for us. I hope my gift shows my gratitude and helps other families like mine.”

When Dick was diagnosed with dementia, Paula became his full-time caregiver. She also made a commitment to do for him what he always did for her – find humor and keep laughter in his life, no matter how hard of a day he was having.

“Dick was an inherent optimist. One of the things Dick often said was, ‘Something wonderful is going to happen to me today.’ He really brought a bright light to everything and everyone. I tried to keep that light present for him as much as I could,” Paula said.

As Dick’s condition worsened, Paula leaned on the Franciscan Hospice House for support. She knew Dick wanted to be at home and the Franciscan team honored that wish.

“Many people assumed that I could handle being a full-time caregiver because I was a nurse. But no one can prepare for how hard 24/7 caregiving is,” she said. “As the spouse, you can't clock out, you are it. It’s emotionally and physically exhausting and oftentimes the rest of the family will never understand unless they do a 24-hour shift.”

During Dick’s final three months, Paula was relieved to have the support of the Franciscan Hospice House nurses, bathers and social workers who would come throughout the week. She was also grateful for her fellow nursing friends, including Kathy, who supported her and encouraged her to take care of herself.

“I was grateful that the hospice team was part of CHI Franciscan and the hospital I trained at. They were also available by phone anytime I had a question. They would call me back right away with answers and support,” Paula says.

Paula knew that many hospice services are supported through philanthropy. She was so grateful for the strength and kindness of the hospice team, she made a gift in Dick’s name after he passed away through this year’s hospice annual fund efforts. She says, “I relied on Franciscan Hospice to guide me through the last few months with my husband and I am grateful to everyone who was there for us. I hope my gift shows my gratitude and helps other families like mine.”

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Mary Jane Voelker lived in Pueblo, Colorado, for less than two decades, but in the short time that she called it home she made an indelible mark on the community.

The Battle Creek, Michigan, native was known to tout the friendliness and “family feel” of Pueblo and she quickly became involved in many aspects of her new home including public service and philanthropy related to her church, the local historical society and community college.

One of the primary beneficiaries of her interest and generosity was the CommonSpirit Health® St. Mary-Corwin Hospital Dorcy Cancer Center. Guests of the much-loved annual “Cowboys Kickin’ Cancer” fundraising event fondly remember Mary Jane’s commitment to “match the paddle” — meaning that she would make a gift to match the total of what event guests contributed during the call for donations — often resulting in tens of thousands of dollars raised annually.

“Mary Jane’s legacy of generosity and kindness continues to have a powerful impact for those battling cancer in our community and the surrounding Southern Colorado area, today and for generations to come. She inspired countless others to give generously.”

These funds were directed to the Dorcy Cancer Center Patient Needs Fund. Through this fund more than $1 million is disbursed each year in support of Dorcy Cancer Center patients and families helping cover the costs of advanced treatments, prescriptions, travel and lodging. The goal of this type of direct support is to make it possible for patients to focus exclusively on healing, from discovery of the disease to survivorship.

Mary Jane cared deeply about building access to world-class cancer care in the Pueblo community. Before her death in 2021, at the age of 76, Mary Jane established the Mary Jane Voelker Family Trust with the St. Mary-Corwin Hospital Foundation, which left behind a transformational gift of $8 million in support of the cancer center programs and services.

“Mary Jane Voelker chose to set up a financial future that would make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Mike Cafasso, hospital CEO. “St. Mary-Corwin Hospital Foundation, our hospital leadership, and our community are grateful for her generosity and kindness.”

Those who knew her say that Mary Jane cared deeply about building access to comprehensive cancer care and was devoted to raising awareness and support for the Dorcy Cancer Center.

“Mary Jane’s legacy of generosity and kindness continues to have a powerful impact for those battling cancer in our community and the surrounding Southern Colorado area, today and for generations to come,” said Seb Girard, interim Vice President of Philanthropy. “She inspired countless others to give generously.”

In 2023, to honor this special friend of the hospital, St. Mary-Corwin Hospital Foundation unveiled and blessed a statue built in her memory.

Created by local artist Rick Willits, the commemorative statue’s design was inspired by the life of St. Peregrine — the patron saint for those suffering from cancer. The statue was placed in the Mary Jane Voelker Living Legacy Courtyard, welcoming cancer center patients, families and community members to visit, rest and reflect. The courtyard is also visible for those patients receiving their treatments in the infusion center on the campus at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital.

Friends of the hospital said that Mary Jane is deeply missed, and that she created a legacy of care that will be felt by many families well into the future.

“Mary Jane’s generosity, love and support will have a lasting impact on our hospital’s commitment to providing accessible, world-class cancer care to patients in need,” said Girard.

With his 90th birthday approaching while hospitalized at Dignity Health Siena Hospital in Henderson, Nevada, one anonymous patient received the gift of humankindness.

Brenda Griego, the director of philanthropy at St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation, first met the soon-to-be nonagenarian when he made a philanthropic gift to express his gratitude for the excellent care he had received in the emergency room.

Even as he was nearing the end of his life, Brenda made sure that the patient, and his family, had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday.

The day before his birthday, Brenda reached out to Tyler Whipkey, the vice president of mission integration, to ask if a chaplain could visit the patient and his family to offer support.

Brenda began her development career at her alma mater, Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. She earned her CFRE credential in 1998, and moved to Las Vegas in 1999. She feels honored to have worked for great southern Nevada organizations and businesses like the UNLV Foundation, Caesars Entertainment, and Roseman University of Health Sciences prior to joining the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation as the Director of Philanthropy. A mom to two who is married to David Griego, Brenda is proud to make a difference in our community.

With this background, it is no surprise that Brenda took the lead to plan a small birthday party in the patient’s room with family gathered at the bedside.

“On his birthday, Brenda called me asking if we could make sure that a chaplain stops by to support the patient and his family, as it looked like the patient would be dying that same day,” said Tyler.

When Tyler and the chaplain arrived at the patient’s room, they found Brenda slicing his favorite chocolate cake, having just led a rousing rendition of happy birthday.

To recognize the way Brenda exhibited compassion, one of CommonSpirit Health®’s core values, Tyler nominated her for an Act of Humankindness award.

CommonSpirit Health is committed to recognizing, sharing and celebrating the many extraordinary ways in which employees make humankindness known in the lives of the patients we serve.

The annual Acts of Humankindness Awards are an opportunity for staff across the CommonSpirit Health ministry to pause, acknowledge and celebrate the many ways in which our people bring our mission to life through selfless giving in service of others.

Brenda was one 615 awardees out of more than 4,300 individuals who were nominated for these awards this year.

“The family members gathered there raved and said that Brenda had been their ‘angel’ throughout his admission,” continued Tyler. “It was very clear that her kindness did not go unnoticed.”

There is a place in Northern California where playing a game of chance will earn you not only a good time, but possibly net thousands of dollars to donate toward improving the health of your community.

The PDL Youth Foundation was established in 2011 by Stockton Winners Bingo in Stockton, California, where it uses a portion of its bingo winnings to make philanthropic donations to causes they choose across the greater San Joaquin Valley.

The PDL Youth Foundation have been enthusiastic supporters of Dignity Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Stockton since 2021, according to Julie Cantrall, the Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at St. Joseph's Foundation of San Joaquin, the nonprofit foundation that supports St. Joseph’s Medical Center.

“This is one way for us to support our community and to let them know we see them and we care about them,” she said. “And we have a great time doing it!”

In October 2022, the bingo group dedicated a portion of its winnings to make a $20,000 donation in support of the hospital’s cancer institute, specifically the Pink Fund.  

The Pink Fund includes a wide range of activities that help improve prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Funds were recently used to purchase a breast imaging system that will improve biopsy outcomes. Funds have also been used to purchase gas cards for patients who have transportation barriers interfering with their treatment.

Destiny Rivas, the CEO of the PDL Youth Foundation, said its members are grateful for an opportunity to give back and to learn about how their gift impacts patients and families navigating cancer prevention and treatment.

“This is one way for us to support our community and to let them know we see them and we care about them,” she said. “And we have a great time doing it!”  

While attending the check presentation, Julie had the opportunity to connect with patients and employees of St. Joseph's Medical Center and St. Joseph's Cancer Institute and to acknowledge the PDL Youth Foundation for their contribution.

“I want to thank the bingo players for making a donation to our breast cancer fund which we lovingly call the Pink Fund. The Pink Fund really allows us to make a difference for patients in need,” she said. “St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute provides a range of cancer treatment and support services and our team of specialists truly walk our patients through their cancer journey.”

St. Joseph's Cancer Institute is dedicated to delivering high quality, compassionate care to Stockton and nearby communities. This includes specialty services for women’s health, featuring the Women's Imaging Center, an imaging and radiology center that offers many services, including three-dimensional mammography and tomosynthesis, digital mammography, and breast ultrasound. The Pink Fund benefits this program and is fully supported by the philanthropic generosity of the surrounding community.