Thank You – Upstate Foundation
GREENVILLE, S.C., Nov 4, 2021 –
Dear Friends of Prisma Health,
We all know, 2021 has been a year of continued change on many levels. But one thing has not changed – the unwavering support and generosity of the donors, volunteers, community partners, and team members who continue to help us fulfill our purpose: Inspire Health. Serve with Compassion. Be the Difference.
Please take a moment to watch a personal thank-you video from a few of our health care heroes.
During this past year, you helped the Prisma Health Upstate Foundation raise more than $7 million to enhance patient care, provide community outreach programs, propel research, and train the next generation of health care providers.
The impact of your generosity is seen and felt by patients and families in our hospitals and outpatient programs, children and teachers in our schools, medical students and high school and college students interested in learning more about careers in healthcare, and community members in need. You’ll find a few highlights below.
Children’s Care
An updated environment filled with exceptional care
This past year, more than $500,000 was raised to help fund the upcoming construction and upfit of the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The construction of a new “purpose-built unit” specifically addresses patient, family, and clinical needs and is designed to create a more healing and synergistic environment that will positively impact all those in the unit – patients, caregivers, and staff.
When completed in 2023, the newly renovated PICU will offer an environment that houses some of the best and brightest minds working together and caring for critically ill children in a calming yet high-tech setting that stimulates the quest for healing.
Diapers and more diapers!
During National Diaper Need Awareness Week, the Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy launched a diaper bank to help ensure that every child in the community has enough diapers to remain clean, dry, and healthy. Partnering with corporate donors including RE/MAX, ScanSource, and a $40,000 sponsorship from HealthyBlue®, more than 180,000 diapers were distributed to over 3,000 families in need through four local distribution events. The Diaper Bank will continue distribution events into 2022. For more details, click here.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Sparks Generous Donation
As part of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Greenville entrepreneur Vivian Wong and French-based Cérélia Group donated a combined $100,000 gift to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Upstate to support pediatric cancer programs.
For Vivian Wong, mother of four children, grandmother of eight, and long-time community leader, the gift was a way to give back to the community that had welcomed her more than 50 years ago.
“It’s always important to me to give back – but especially when I have an opportunity to help children and families affected by cancer,” said Wong. “I know what a difference quick treatment and support can make for families. I also know that Greenville is the best place to live as far as I’m concerned. I just want to help it be even better and help Prisma Health continue providing outstanding care to its patients.”
Read more about this generous gift here.
Children’s Miracle Network
Our Prisma Health Children’s Hospital is part of the Children’s Miracle Network of hospitals. Through this partnership, we connect with many corporate partners such as Publix, Walmart, and Costco, and collegiate organizations such as Clemson Miracle, to raise funds through annual campaigns. This past year, these campaigns raised close to $1.5 million. The funds stay local and are used to make a child’s stay in the hospital brighter. Please support our local campaigns next time you see the friendly yellow Miracle Balloon.
Cancer Care
Surpassing a $4 million milestone
In September, we celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Prisma Health Dragon Boat Upstate Festival, raising $355,000 for the Prisma Health Cancer Institute and achieving a milestone of $4 million since the festival’s inception. Although we were not able to have a full in-person festival due to Covid restrictions, we were able to stream an online celebratory program featuring inspiring stories and achievements. Plans are being made now to be back on the water and have a full Dragon Boat Upstate Festival in May 2022. Paddles up!
Cancer program awarded $2 million per year by the National Cancer Institute
The Prisma Health Cancer Institute was recently allocated an increase in funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), bringing the grant contribution to more than $2 million per year.
“This is an important achievement as we expand the program to the Midlands,” said Larry Gluck, MD, Medical Director of the Institute and Chair of Prisma Health Oncology Services. “Our team has substantially increased clinical trial accruals, despite the challenges of COVID. This underscores the dedication of our team to provide high-quality cancer clinical trials here in the Upstate”
Read more about the funding here.
Cycling for a cause
Challenge to Conquer Cancer (C3) cyclists rode to California and Maine this year to raise funds for cancer prevention and survivorship programs. More than $140,000 was raised by the C3 cyclists through their fundraising efforts for patient programs and services at the Prisma Health Cancer Institute.
Workforce Development
Training for the future
The Prisma Health Medical Experience Academy (MedEx) celebrated its 10th Anniversary this year. To celebrate this milestone, a $1 million Endowment Campaign was launched to fund student scholarships, with more than $675,000 raised to date. MedEx is a one-of-a-kind program developed to create more interest among young people to pursue careers in health care. The program fulfills its goal of making health professions accessible to students from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, and the endowment helps fund these goals. Click here for more details about MedEx.
Generous gift supports future orthopaedic surgeons
Barbara and Robert Knight made a $110,000 gift to create the Roland M. Knight, MD Endowment for Orthopaedic Surgery. The endowment was established in memory of Robert’s father, Dr. Roland Knight. He was an active participant in the training of new orthopedic surgeons and a well-respected orthopedic surgeon for many years serving the Upstate community.
| We look to 2022 with a cautious sense of optimism, knowing that we will continue to navigate challenges brought about by the pandemic. And although COVID-19 continues to change all our lives and the world around us, what has not changed is the generosity you show to Prisma Health. Thank you for being the difference in the lives of the patients and families we have the privilege to serve and helping to ensure a healthier Upstate. We couldn’t do it without you! Stay healthy and well! |
 Risé L. Wilson, CFRE Executive Director, Upstate Foundation Prisma Health–Upstate |
About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 acute care and specialty hospitals, 2,947 beds, approximately 300 outpatient sites, and nearly 5,000 employed and clinically integrated network physicians and providers, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually in its 21-county market area that covers 50% of South Carolina. Prisma Health’s goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org.