Spring 2018 Impact Report

Spring 2018 Fundraising Highlights

Major Gifts and Grants:

Levine Family Challenge

Inspired by the generosity of Amy and Alfred Dawson, Lori and Eric Sklut, Julie and Howard Levine, and Sandra and Leon Levine – who presented a matching gift challenge of $500,000 at the 4^th Annual Levine Children’s Gala on March 17 – donors responded generously, contributing an additional $500K that will be matched by the Levine Family for a total one million-dollar gift to Levine Children’s Hospital.

New Grants from the Duke Endowment total $1.8 Million

Three grants totaling $1.8 million were recently awarded by The Duke Endowment to support Atrium Health in the areas of cardiac surgery, food insecurity and population health, and pediatric dental care. The first grant, for $1.1 million, will advance the use of patient data from wearable mobile technology for clinicians performing follow up to cardiac surgery; the second grant, for $480K, will support the recently formed OneCharlotte Health Alliance and efforts to address food insecurity issues using clinic-based emergency food pharmacies and two refrigerated mobile food vehicles; lastly, a grant for $200K will support the creation of a Pediatric Dentist position in CMC’s Oral Medicine Department to care for patients at Levine Children’s Hospital.

Charlotte Ballet’s Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Gala Benefits Atrium Health

Earlier this month, Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital had the pleasure of celebrating the fundraising success of three participants in the Charlotte Ballet’s Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Gala: Gene Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health – who raised $87,000 for The Eugene Woods Sr. Multiple Myeloma Research Fund at Levine Cancer Institute; John Culbertson, managing partner of Cardinal Real Estate Partners, who raised $71,000 for ovarian cancer research at Levine Cancer Institute; and David Secrest, Managing Director of Barings, who raised $129,000 for Levine Children’s Hospital.

Donor Gift Establishes Levine Cancer Institute Bosnian Medical Fund

The Levine Cancer Institute Bosnian Medical Fund was recently established through a generous gift of $150,000 from Ms. Martha Hendricks, a resident of Indian Trail, North Carolina. This Fund will support medical research collaborations, medical exchange visits, and potential transfers of medical equipment between Levine Cancer Institute and Bosnian oncologists.

Foundation Events:

In the NIC of Time Gala (April 21, 2018)

On April 21, more than 200 guests, dressed in their best “Southern chic” attire, attended the In the NIC of Time Gala at Carmel Country Club. The event raised record-proceeds of $98K to benefit the Cottie and Cake Fund. First established in 2011 by grateful patient-family Meghan and Russ Hampton, and Fran and Don Russ, donations to the Cottie and Cake Fund have generated more than $538K to support both the Charlotte Fetal Care Center and the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at Levine Children’s Hospital.

3rd Annual Carolinas 4 A Cure Bladder Cancer Walk Raises $62,000 – and counting

On Saturday, May 5, more than 200 bladder cancer advocates, patients, and Levine Cancer Institute staff members gathered in South Charlotte for a celebratory walk – Carolinas 4 A Cure – raising funds and awareness for bladder cancer patient programs and research at Levine Cancer Institute. With a record number of participants and sponsors in 2018, the 3rd Annual Walk raised more than $62,000 to benefit the Carolinas Bladder Cancer Fund at LCI. In attendance were many representatives of Levine Cancer Institute’s bladder cancer program, including Dr. Earle Burgess, who welcomed event attendees and shared his thanks for the generous outpouring of community support for bladder cancer research at LCI.

Sincere thanks go to the Salvino family for their special efforts to organize and support the Bladder Cancer Walk, and to the Holy Trinity Middle School Junior Honor Society, whose students led a fundraising campaign for the event.

Second Annual Speak PINK Luncheon

On Thursday, May 17, more than 200 breast cancer survivors and advocates gathered for the second annual Speak PINK luncheon benefiting the Carolinas Breast Cancer Fund at Levine Cancer Institute and LCI: Project PINK. This inspiring forum for breast cancer advocacy was led by keynote speaker Cathy Bessant, a breast cancer survivor and Chief Operations and Technology Officer for Bank of America. Facilitated by WFAE President & CEO, Joe O’Connor, the highlight of the event was a poignant conversation between Cathy and her daughter, Meredith Clay, about her journey with breast cancer and the importance of early detection programs. Learn more.

Two Cycling Events Benefit the Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program: Cycle to Sea and Pines to Palms

This April, a dedicated group of cyclists and adaptive athletes raised over $65,000 to support Carolinas Rehabilitation’s Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program (ASAP) through two unique cycling events. Starting in Northeast Maine and concluding in Key West, Florida, the Pines to Palms cycling event covered more than 2,200 miles traveled by 14 able-bodied and adaptive cyclists. This challenging event was led by Atrium Health teammate and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Aaron Harper. Meanwhile, a separate group of cyclists embarked on the annual Cycle to the Sea from Charlotte, North Carolina, to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Though the miles proved challenging, the rewards of these cycling trips were great. We are grateful to the many participants and donors who continue to support ASAP through these inspiring events.

Carolinas HealthCare Foundation Launches the “Inner Circle” Lecture Series

On Thursday, April 26, the Inner Circle – an exclusive new lecture series – was launched at Carolinas HealthCare Foundation. Stacy Nicholson, MD, MPH, President of Children’s Services for Levine Children’s Hospital, presented to an intimate crowd of 50 friends of the Foundation, sharing touching patient stories and exciting developments made possibly through philanthropy – such as the MIBG Treatment Suite being funded by the Isabella Santos Foundation. Dr. Nicholson’s presentation was followed by a Q&A session that allowed our guests to gain an inside perspective on the many promising advances in store for Levine Children’s Hospital.

The inaugural Inner Circle event was hosted by Bevie Hemby, and Anna and John McCoy. Be on the lookout for information about the next Inner Circle Lecture Series event, to be announced this summer.

In Memoriam:

We regret to share the sad news that Mr. Seddon “Rusty” Goode, Jr., a long-time Atrium Health Board member, and also a former Carolinas HealthCare Foundation Board member, passed away earlier this week at the age of 86, following an extended illness. He left a legacy of extraordinary service and philanthropy to Atrium Health, as well as other organizations in our community. A full obituary for Mr. Goode can be found here.  Among the memorial beneficiaries the family has identified is Carolinas HealthCare Foundation and Levine Children’s Hospital, who were also included in his estate planning through a donated life insurance policy. Consequently, the Foundation soon expects to receive approximately $300,000 in charitable life insurance proceeds for the benefit of LCH as an extraordinary example of his thoughtfulness and generosity.

Partner Fundraising Events:

The HEARTest Yard + Showmars 5K  (May 12, 2018)

On Saturday, May 12, nearly 1,500 supporters of the HEARTest Yard Fund, including many Showmars customers, participated in the 3rd Annual HEARTest Yard + Showmars 5K. This event, which raised over $100K, represents just one of many successful fundraising efforts that Greg Olsen and his foundation have led to support the HEARTest Yard Fund at Levine Children’s Hospital this year. We are grateful to Receptions for Research, to the Olsen Family, and to Showmars, for their continued support of our pediatric heart program and patients!

Miles Against Melanoma NC (April 28, 2018)

The 7th Annual Miles Against Melanoma NC 5K raised close to $25,000 in charitable support for the Carolinas Melanoma & Immunotherapy Fund at Levine Cancer Institute, thanks to the generosity and efforts of 90 volunteers, 670 runners, many event sponsors, and Miles Against Melanoma NC founder, Heather Joyner.