French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) is proud to announce that the hospital received donations of more than one million dollars during its Share the Hope fundraiser at the Hearst Ranch over the weekend. The one million dollar gift announced at the event is designated for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) Endowment Fund and comes from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
The HCRC Endowment Fund was established in September 2007 with a gift from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation to support HCRC operations in perpetuity and ensure services continue to be provided free of charge to the community. The HCRC hopes to raise four million dollars to fund the endowment. With this latest gift, the endowment has reached $2.3 million.
During the Share the Hope event, $137,000 was raised from the dinner and live auction. A single donation of $50,000 was made by Urologist Michael D. Clayton, MD and his wife Jennifer whose family has been touched by cancer. The gift was made in memory of Annelisa Hahn.
Those in photograph left to right are: Tom Vendegna, MD – Chair of the Hearst Cancer Resource Center Advisory Committee, Alan Iftiniuk - President and CEO of French Hospital Medical Center and Steve Hearst – Hearst Cancer Resource Center Advisory Committee Member
“We are extremely grateful to this community for their ongoing support of the Hearst Cancer Resource Center and to French Hospital. This is the first time in the history of French Hospital that we can announce that more than one million dollars was donated in a single weekend,” said Alan Iftiniuk, FHMC President and CEO.
Executive Director of the FHMC Foundation Debby Nicklas adds, “As San Luis Obispo’s only not-for-profit hospital, 100% of donations directly support patient services and programs. In this case, all donations and proceeds from the Share the Hope event go to support the wonderful services provided to all our county residents free of charge at the Hearst Cancer Resource Center.”
The HCRC collaborates with community and physician partners to provide supportive and educational services necessary for cancer patients to understand their disease, tolerate treatment, and maintain dignity and quality of life throughout all aspects of their cancer experience. Since opening in April 2008 the HCRC has seen more than 11,000 visits consisting of cancer patients and family members, as well as many community organizations, free of charge. The resource center, staffed by oncology professionals, houses the latest information on cancer treatment options, nutrition, pain management and stress reduction. The HCRC hosts everything from laughing classes, to nutrition lectures, to yoga for support groups and partnering organizations. The HCRC also offers the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Resource Library to provide the most current, and trustworthy information on cancer. It also features an Appearance Center complete with wigs, hats, scarves and makeup, to help build confidence and self-esteem in its clients who bravely battle the disease.
