October 08, 2008

Turlock - Volunteers for Emanuel Medical Center’s Legacy Circle fundraising campaign raised more then $950,000 in six weeks to create a permanent endowment to enhance and expand the hospital’s cancer services.

 

The total amount raised beat last year’s total by more than $20,000 and came despite the souring economic environment.

 

“The volunteer effort this year, the hard work and time people put into the campaign, was extraordinary,” said Shirley Pok, Emanuel’s Vice President of Development. “They really went above and beyond.”

 

As of Monday, the campaign had brought in $954,321 and Pok hopes late pledges will push the total over $1 million in the days and weeks ahead. The overall goal for the three-year campaign is to create a $4 million Emanuel Cancer Endowment to augment the cancer services already being provided by the hospital and its partners.

 

When it’s fully funded, the Endowment will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars every year that will be used to pay for things like community education and cancer prevention programs, early detection and screening efforts, community support groups, clinical trials and research.

 

Pok and Emanuel’s Director of Annual Giving, Jana Rhine, said that the national economic downturn could be felt during the campaign. A number of previous donors reduced their pledges this year because of the economy, and a few didn’t participate. But those reductions were more than offset by people who increased their giving and by brand new donors.

 

“Increased pledges and the number of new members was up 30 percent,” said Rhine. “Our outreach to new donors was very positive.”

 

Rhine credits that success to the reputation the hospital is quickly developing for outstanding-quality cancer care and the community’s growing awareness of the programs Emanuel offers.

 

“We have a number of volunteers who have either had treatment or have family members in treatment,” Rhine explained. “They are tremendous supporters of our efforts to build this endowment.”

 

Alex Schwendig is one of those volunteers. Diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, Schwendig received both chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Emanuel and as his cancer receded and health improved, he looked for a way to help others.

 

“I needed to be a part of this,” he said. “Their services benefitted me and will benefit others that follow me and I knew I wanted to get involved.”

 

And get involved he did. Not only did Schwendig join one of fundraising teams for Legacy Circle, he also started volunteering with Emanuel Regional Cancer Services to greet and help other cancer patients as they come in for treatment. His wife, Janet, volunteers in the hospital gift shop.

 

“The people here were so good to me,” Schwendig said. “I’ve been very appreciative from the very beginning.”

 

Emanuel employees are also active in the campaign, with more than 130 volunteering their time to participate. Linda Burrows, Director of Perioperative Services, was this year’s top employee fundraiser.

 

“I was blessed with good donors and it’s a good cause,” said Burrows. “Even though the economic times are as tough as they are, people will still reach into their pocket for a good cause.”

 

Other leading employee volunteers were Ken Gomes and Debbie Martin, who each raised more than $19,000.

 

Top community fundraisers were Jeani and John Ferrari of Turlock, who raised $53,000; Hilmar’s Christopher and Sandra Freeberg, who raised $33,000; and Jim and Carol Ahlem, also of Hilmar, who raised $31,000.

 

In all, employees raised $273,000 and community volunteers brought in $681,000, which included $100,000 from the Emanuel Volunteer Auxiliary. The average pledge made by donors was $800.

 

“Our volunteers and donors are simply amazing,” Pok said. “The work they put in this year was phenomenal, and their support for this hospital is incredible. I want to thank each and every one of them for their support. It’s an honor and privilege to be a part of this effort.”

 

For more information of to make a pledge, call Emanuel Medical Center’s Office of Development at 209-664-5180.