MAJOR GIFTS AND GRANTS

 

Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation

Greg Olsen and his family made a generous $2.5 million gift from Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation to help build a next generation pediatric cardiovascular and congenital heart outpatient clinic – The HEARTest Yard Pediatric Cardiac Center at Levine Children’s.  Announced following The HEARTest Yard Golf Classic, a fundraiser held on May 6 at the Club at Longview, the gift marks the largest commitment to date from Greg’s foundation.

 

$1 Million Gift Establishes Distinguished Chair for Surgical Oncology

A $1 million gift from a grateful patient family made in December 2018 has established the Richard L. White, Jr., MD Distinguished Chair in Surgical Oncology at Levine Cancer Institute.  Dr. White was honored at an investiture held at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte on April 29, during which he was named the inaugural distinguished chair in surgical oncology. Along with the support of his colleagues at Levine Cancer Institute, this tremendous gift will allow Dr. White to lead and help advance the Institute’s division of surgical oncology and the management of cancerous tumors. Continue reading.

 

Hyundai Hope on Wheels Awards Grant to Levine Children’s Physician Researcher

Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW), a 501c3 non-profit organization supported by Hyundai and its U.S. dealers, last week announced a $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award Grant to Levine Children’s to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer. The hospital is one of 77 recipients receiving a combined $16 million in new grants this year to develop innovative approaches to finding a cure for the disease. The Hyundai Impact Award was presented to Dr. Ashley Hinson, whose work centers around assessing immune dysfunction in pediatric oncology patients, post-chemotherapy, to determine whether there is an optimal time for restarting vaccinations. During the event, children being treated at Levine Children’s participated in the program’s signature Handprint Ceremony, in which they dipped their hands in paint and placed their handprints on a white 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe.

 

Kohl’s Cares Grant Funds School-Based Virtual Clinic in Lincoln County

Building on the Atrium Health Community Cares program, powered by Kohl’s, Levine Children’s will implement a virtual clinic in a Lincoln County school to provide primary care for 300 students, within their routine school day, using innovative technology. This grant will allow Atrium Health to develop a model that optimizes virtual access to high-quality pediatric care, decreases non-emergent utilization of the emergency room, and helps to establish a primary care medical home for students who do not have one.

 

The Duke Endowment

In May the Foundation was awarded two new significant grants by The Duke Endowment: $400,000 for a pilot program to provide Atrium’s rurally located emergency departments with telepsychiatry and virtual navigation services and $180,000 for Levine Cancer Institute to provide cancer prevention education to school-aged children in several area counties.

 

Community “Keeps Pounding” for Cancer Research

Enjoyed by runners, walkers, Panthers’ fans and supporters of all ages, the annual Keep Pounding 5K raises vital funds and awareness for cancer research and patient programs at Atrium Health. Led by touchdown sponsor Rodgers Builders, Top Individual Fundraiser Audrea Norris and Top Team PoZtivity (led by Levine Cancer Institute oncologist and cancer survivor Zvonimir Milas, MD), Keep Pounding 5K sponsors, donors, and participants this year contributed to a record-total of more than $150,000 in net proceeds.

 

Kids Get Active to Raise Funds for Pediatric Rehab Program

On June 2, kids of all ages and abilities took over the campus of the Levine Jewish Community Center for the 8th Annual Kids Triathlon. The Kids Tri provides youngsters with the opportunity to complete a shorter version of a triathlon by participating in kid-friendly swimming, biking and running events. With the support of generous donors and sponsors, the young triathletes collectively raised more than $130,000 to benefit the Adaptive Sports & Adventures Program at Carolinas Rehabilitation, as well as the pediatric rehabilitation program at Levine Children’s Hospital. Several of the leading young fundraisers had the opportunity to meet VIP guest, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

 

3rd Annual Speak Pink Brings Together Survivors, Advocates for Breast Cancer Luncheon

On May 29, over 200 breast cancer survivors, researchers and advocates gathered at The Westin in Uptown Charlotte for the 3rd annual Speak PINK luncheon. The luncheon, dubbed the “newest forum for breast cancer philanthropy” in Charlotte, featured ABC’s renowned “20/20” co-anchor and breast cancer survivor Amy Robach as the honored guest speaker. In attendance were oncologists from Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute, as well as breast cancer survivors Cathy Bessant – former Speak PINK honored guest and Chief Technology Officer at Bank of America – and Susan Olsen, mother of Carolina Panthers Tight End Greg Olsen and honored speaker of the inaugural Speak PINK luncheon in 2017. Continue reading.

Speak PINK, presented for the third year by Charlotte Radiology, raised vital funds for breast cancer research and patient screening programs at Levine Cancer Institute.

 

Hope for a Cure: Annual Bladder Cancer Walk Supports Innovative Therapies, Awareness in the Carolinas

In May, over 150 supporters came together to walk for bladder cancer research and honor loved ones who have battled the disease. Thanks to the generosity of many sponsors, donors and participants, the Carolinas 4 a Cure Bladder Cancer Walk raised $60,000 for the Carolinas Bladder Cancer Fund at Levine Cancer Institute. Funds raised at the Walk support innovative therapies at LCI that are being used to extend life expectancy and increase survival rates for bladder cancer patients in the region. Special thanks go to the family of Mike Salvino, Atrium Health Foundation board member, for spearheading this and other annual fundraising events benefiting bladder cancer research at LCI.

 

Grateful Atrium Teammate helps to fund STICU renovations

Grateful teammate Kathy Williams, a nurse in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) at Carolinas Medical Center, donated $150,000 from a family estate gift to support renovations of family rooms and the waiting area in the STICU. CMC is home to the F.H. “Sammy” Ross Jr. Trauma Center, the region’s only Level-I Trauma Center.

 

 

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK NEWS

 

This May, Walmart Regional VP Kate Mora kicked off the 2019 Walmart and Sam’s Club campaign for LCH with impassioned remarks to local store managers and associates, followed by tours of the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Nurseries and hospital helipad – two beneficiaries of the retail chains’ generous support in recent years. Celebrating its 32nd year of fundraising with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Walmart and Sam’s Club have collectively raised over $12.1 million for Levine Children’s.

Learn more about this and additional Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaigns ongoing with corporate partners across our city and region: https://www.atriumhealthfoundation.org/cmn

 

 

 

PARTNER EVENTS AND NEWS

 

Showmars HEARTest Yard 5K

This April, Carolina Panthers star tight-end, Greg Olsen, and Charlotte’s hometown restaurant, Showmars, once again teamed up on a mission to support children from around the local community who are facing and fighting congenital heart diseases and disorders. Together, nearly 1,000 runners, walkers, families and Showmars patrons participated in the Showmars HEARTest Yard 5K for the benefit of the HEARTest Yard Fund at Levine Children’s.

 

Miles Against Melanoma

Thanks to the leadership of Heather Joyner and the support of many volunteers, the 8th Annual Miles Against Melanoma was a great success, bringing together hundreds of runners to raise vital funds for the benefit of melanoma clinical research, patient programs and awareness initiatives at Levine Cancer Institute.

 

Sarcoma Stomp Raises Record Proceeds

With an unprecedented 1,500 attendees at the Sarcoma Stomp, the 8th annual race was a special celebration where “stompers” honored their loved ones and raised more than $250,000 for sarcoma research at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital. The ongoing success of this memorable event is due to the support of thousands of donors, many dedicated volunteers, and the leadership of Sue Udelson, executive director of the Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research.

 

SAVE THE DATE

 

Latin Radiothon: July 18

On Thursday, July 18, Norsan Media will host an all-day radiothon benefiting Levine Children’s, your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. To donate or learn more visit http://LCHRadiothon.org/.

 

24 Hours of Booty: July 26-27

24 Foundation supporters and hundreds of cancer advocates will be circling the “Booty Loop” for 24 straight hours from July 26-27. The beloved community cycling event, taking place in Myers Park, raises vital funds for local cancer survivorship and patient navigation programs benefiting both Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital. Learn more at 24Foundation.org/charlotte.

 

10th Annual Joedance Film Festival: August 1-3

This August, as local filmmakers and pediatric cancer advocates gather at the Charlotte Ballet for the cinematic event of the season, Joedance Film Festival will officially celebrate its 10th anniversary. Don’t miss this sell-out event. For tickets and information visit: joedance.org/.

 

 

9th Annual Stiletto Sprint: September 14

Kick up your heels and join us in the fight against ovarian cancer on September 14 in the 9th Annual Stiletto Sprint. Run or walk ~70-yard dash or cheer on our participants in this unique fundraising event exclusively benefiting the Carolinas Ovarian Cancer Fund and ovarian cancer research programs at Levine Cancer Institute. Register or learn more at TealHeels.org.

 

 

Swim Across America: September 21

Make a splash on September 21 at the 3rd Annual Charlotte Open Water Swim in Lake Norman, supporting leukemia research at Levine Cancer Institute. Visit SwimAcrossAmerica.org for details.

 

 

24th Annual Hopebuilders 5K: October 12

Proceeds from the Hopebuilders 5K exclusively benefit the areas of greatest need at Atrium Health Levine Children’s, allowing children and families in our region to receive world-class care where they need it most — close to home. To register or donate today visit http://hopebuilders5k.org./