Philanthropy at Work Across Atrium Health (June-July 2020)

MAJOR GIFTS AND GRANTS (June-July 2020)

 

Bojangles and MDA Award $350,000 to Atrium Health’s McColl-Lockwood Lab for Muscular Dystrophy Research

In partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Bojangles recently awarded $350,000 to support Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Research at Atrium Health’s McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research. These funds have frequently been matched by generous foundations and individuals, leading to close to $2 million in support for the laboratory from the annual Golf Classic.

 

Driven Brands and CARSTAR Donate a Collective $51,000 to Atrium Health

Driven Brands employees recently raised $41,000 through the company’s employee giving program to benefit pediatric patient care at Levine Children’s Hospital. Additionally, CARSTAR, a brand in the Driven Brands automotive collision portfolio, made a $10,000 gift to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund to continue supporting frontline healthcare workers and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

GBT Awards Levine Children’s Hospital $46,000 ACCEL Grant to Advance Access to Care for People Living with Sickle Cell Disease

Thanks to generous grant funding from Global Blood Therapeutics, The Levine Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Clinic at Atrium Health will work to expand access to care for pediatric sickle cell patients by educating and empowering their primary care providers to deliver sickle cell care and reinforce education. Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital was among five nonprofit organizations serving the sickle cell disease (SCD) community to receive a 2020 Access to Excellent Care for Sickle Cell Patients (ACCEL) Grant. The ACCEL grant program funds innovative programs that have the potential to deliver high-quality healthcare to people living with SCD.

 

Kulynych Family Foundation Supports Pediatric Gastoenterology Programs with a $25,000 Gift

Atrium Health Foundation received a $25,000 gift from the Kulynych Family Foundation to support Pediatric Gastroenterology (GI) programs at Levine Children’s Hospital. Pediatric GI patients are confronted with unique stressors from living with a chronic disease and, as a result, are at increased risk for psychosocial dysfunction. This generous gift will help to ensure Levine Children’s patients living with GI Disease receive the supportive mental health services they need while also ensuring their families receive proper counseling support.

 

SAGES Awards $15,000 COVID-19 Research Grant to Support Projects Led by Dr. Caroline Reinke

Atrium Health’s Caroline E. Reinke, MD has been awarded a SAGES COVID-19 Research Grant. Dr. Reinke, Surgical Quality Officer, and colleagues have spent the last several months ensuring hospitals are adequately equipped to perform Emergency General Surgery while protecting healthcare providers and patients from contracting the coronavirus. This funding will be used to address the surgical needs of Atrium Health’s patient population, particularly in times of altered healthcare processes.

 

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant to Benefit Carolinas Rehabilitation

Atrium Health Foundation was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Emergency Relief Fund to benefit Carolinas Rehabilitation. The Neilsen Foundation has been steadfast in its efforts to support the immediate needs of people living with spinal cord injuries (SCI) during COVID-19. This generous gift enables Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation to support SCI patients’ essential needs by providing them with non-perishable food, gasoline gift cards, personal protective equipment, access to online wellness and exercise modules, and virtual peer mentorship sessions and support groups.

 

ATRIUM ADDRESSES DISPARITIES IN CARE DURING COVID-19

 

Philanthropy Funds Emergency Patient Feeding Program for Patients Fighting Cancer

Thanks to generous support from Bristol Myers Squibb, Rodgers Builders and J.E. Dunn Construction, Levine Cancer Institute has created a program to provide emergency feeding for low-income and medically fragile cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer patients may be immunocompromised due to their treatment and unable to obtain food for themselves or their families because of exposure risks associated with COVID-19. In collaboration with clinicians, social workers, and navigators, the Emergency Patient Feeding Program identifies cancer patients who will benefit from food deliveries. Learn more here.

 

Atrium Health Increases Ongoing Commitment to Charlotte’s Hispanic Community Amid COVID-19

Throughout the greater Charlotte region there has been an increase in positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases directly affecting the Hispanic population. As part of its mission to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, Atrium Health is focusing its commitment by launching a new initiative, “Para Tu Salud” – simply translated to “For Your Health” – to further educate and inform Hispanic communities on how to stay safe and healthy. A recent grant for $100,000 from the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund will support this program in a number of important ways: internal and external campaigns are being developed to ensure patients supported by Atrium Health’s Covid Virtual Hospital are receiving information in a health literate and culturally appropriate way; efforts are being made to improve and enhance patient navigation and treatment plans; and partnerships with community-based organizations are being developed to support proper utilization of PPE and precautionary practices, such as social distancing.

 

Mecklenburg County, Atrium Health, and Community Partners Distributing 2M Masks to the Community 

Atrium Health is leading a private-public partnership, along with Mecklenburg County, Bank of America, Barings, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, CharMeck Responds Coalition, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Duke Energy, Foundation For The Carolinas, Honeywell, Lowe’s, Marand Builders, National Gypsum, Premier, Red Ventures, Rodgers Builders, State Farm, Trane Technologies, Wells Fargo, YMCA of Greater Charlotte and many others, to supply over 2 million masks. Gifts made to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund continue to support this important initiative to ensure community members are safe and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

 

EVENTS AND PARTNER UPDATES

 

Levine Children’s Recognized as “Best” Children’s Hospital for Thirteenth Consecutive Year

Levine Children’s Hospital has been named a “Best Children’s Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report for the thirteenth consecutive year. This year, the world-class pediatric hospital received the most rankings in its history, being recognized in eight specialties: Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neonatology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology. These distinguished rankings as a BEST Children’s Hospital would not be possible without the incredible philanthropic support of Atrium Health donors and partners.

Learn more about this achievement here.

 

Albemarle Foundation Funds Project PINK Mammography Screening Days

On July 16, 2020,  Albemarle Foundation graciously sponsored a Project PINK screening day at Project 658. During the screening event, Project PINK experts provided free mammograms to 22 patients and donated 65 face masks. Each patient received breast health education, hand sanitizer, a mask for each member of their household, COVID-19 education and free testing information, and other helpful community resources. Thanks to the generous philanthropic support of our colleagues at Albemarle Foundation, community members were able to access these preventative healthcare services – a key to the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Learn more from this July 2020 interview with WCNC.

 

Levine Cancer Institute Clinical Trial Selected for Poster Discussion at ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Earlier this spring, oncology professionals from around the world gathered for the ASCO Virtual Scientific Program. Edward S. Kim, MD, chair of Levine Cancer Institute’s Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, presented his poster discussion on the Institute’s latest sarcoma clinical trial, which was made possible through philanthropy driven by The Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research. The trial has since shown promising patient results, including tumor reduction and no new cancer growth.

 

24 Foundation’s Signature 24 Hours of Booty Event Raised Over $750,000 for Cancer Survivorship Programs

24 Foundation raises critical funds for adult and pediatric cancer survivorship and wellness programs at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital, most notably through its signature 24 Hours of Booty event. To protect the safety of participants, this year’s event was reformatted into a virtual “UnLooped” experience, which took place July 24-25. More than 1,500 supporters participated in UnLooped, breaking the all-time registration record. Thanks to the continued generosity of our community, 24 Foundation raised more than $750,000 to benefit Levine Cancer Institute, Levine Children’s Hospital and other beneficiaries.

 

Swim Across America Coast to Coast Challenge Update

Swim Across America has been “making waves” to fight cancer since 1987, raising over $85 million to fund cancer research and clinical trials. Though the organization was unable to host its signature swim event this summer, Swim Across America – Charlotte is hosting a virtual “Coast to Coast” challenge to continue supporting leukemia research at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital even in these uncertain times. The fundraising challenge goes through Saturday, September 19. Register today to help Team Swim Across America – Charlotte make its way across the map.

 

Joedance Film Festival: August 6-8