Greg Olsen: Levine Children’s Hospital’s Man of the Year
In connection with his NFL nomination as a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, Carolina Panther (and Foundation Board member) Greg Olsen raised over $300,000 for the HEARTest Yard Fund at Levine Children’s Hospital in the month of January alone, including a personal matching gift of $100,000 made by Greg and his wife, Kara.
Britton Foundation Advances Multiple Myeloma Research
The Britton Foundation has generously donated $500,000 to honor the life and memory of William R. Britton Jr., a former insurance executive and consultant who was a patient of Levine Cancer Institute for many years. The funding will establish the William R. Britton Jr. Myeloma Research Fund, supporting research conducted by Dr. Saad Usmani and his colleagues at Levine Cancer Institute. In his lifetime, Bill Britton worked to help others with multiple myeloma by donating his time and resources to the cause. After he lost his battle with the disease in 2017, the Britton Foundation stepped forward to honor his legacy by ensuring that the most advanced clinical research continues to improve treatment and detection of this form of cancer.
Morris-Jenkins Steps Forward Once More to Improve Patient Experience at LCH
Morris-Jenkins, one of Charlotte’s premier heating, air conditioning, and plumbing companies, has recently committed $350,000 to support a new Levine Children’s Hospital App. This secure technology will improve the hospital experience for thousands of children and families served by Levine Children’s Hospital each year, providing way-finding and patient visit information, community resources, educational and kid-friendly activities, and access to patients’ medical information through a mobile device. Morris-Jenkins has now funded nearly $1 million in charitable initiatives at Levine Children’s Hospital over the last ten years.
Martin Truex Jr. Foundation
2017 was truly a winning year for Martin Truex Jr. and his longtime partner, Sherry Pollex. From the race track to the catwalk, the two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion driver capped off a record-setting year on the track with tremendous accomplishments off the track, including his foundation’s recent gift of $98,000 to enhance the Supportive Oncology Fund at Levine Cancer Institute. With this support, Levine Cancer Institute will offer new integrative oncology services at LCI facilities located north of Charlotte, allowing patients in the surrounding region to access cancer care and support closest to where they live and work.
Dr. Niraj Patel leads “Team IDEA” in the inaugural Pediatric Immunodeficiency Gala
Surrounded by families who have been touched by immunodeficiency, as well as medical colleagues and community advocates, Dr. Niraj C. Patel and Carolinas HealthCare Foundation led the inaugural Pediatric Immunodeficiency Gala on Saturday, February 10, raising funds and awareness for Levine Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Immunodeficiency Center. The gala represents Dr. Patel’s latest efforts in his long-standing commitment to philanthropy and to his patients, having previously organized and led patient families in fundraising for the Hopebuilders 5K through Team IDEA, which stands for Immune Deficiency, Education, and Advocacy.
Pounding for Parker Foundation
A foundation started by the family of grateful patient and cancer survivor, Parker Cowherd, recently committed $100,000 to Carolinas HealthCare Foundation for the benefit of the Pediatric Neuro-oncology Department at Levine Children’s Hospital. This gift, made by the Pounding for Parker Foundation, will provide funding necessary to hire a part-time nurse navigator for the hospital’s pediatric neuro-oncology department.
Cupid’s Cup 5K
On February 17, more than 700 runners and walkers wore their hearts on their sleeves, as they raced through Charlotte’s historic Dilworth neighborhood to raise funds for Atrium Health cardiac rehabilitation programs. Net proceeds of $40,000 generated from the 5K will support Cardiac Rehabilitation at Atrium Health, through equipment upgrades, patient support programs, and new patient technology offered at 3 clinic locations in the region. Support for the Cupid’s Cup 5K was led by event sponsors: Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute; K&L Gates; Piedmont Plastics; The Philip Nalibotsky Family; Chick-fil-A Charlotte; Bayada Home Health Care; Life Systems International; PNC; RP Signs; Sunteck; WCNC; and iHeart Radio.
Cougars 4 A Cure
On January 26, Charlotte Catholic High School students raised more than $40,000 as part of the school’s annual Cougars 4 A Cure event. For the past five years, students have sold t-shirts and solicited donations at a school basketball game. Matthew Salvino founded the event in 2013, after his mother was diagnosed with bladder cancer. His brother, Mitchell, now a junior at Charlotte Catholic, took the helm after Matthew graduated. As in years past, funds raised for the event will support bladder cancer research and treatment programs at Levine Cancer Institute.
The Buddy Fund
The Buddy Fund was recently established by Vince Sumner to support Levine Cancer Institute patient family caregivers who are so critical to patients’ well-being, comfort, and quality of life. This fund has become a tremendous resource to area cancer patients and families contending with both the devastating effects of cancer as well as burdensome financial issues. Vince is the son of the late John S. Sumner, Jr., a patient who left a special impact on the life and career of Levine Cancer Institute physician Kathryn Mileham. Vince established the Buddy Fund in appreciation for the care provided by Dr. Mileham and her staff.
Spirit Halloween (Spirit of Children) Supports Levine Children’s Hospital
At the close of 2017, year-round fundraising by Spirit Halloween store associates and customers in our region totaled nearly $44,000, which will be used to support the Child Life Program at Levine Children’s Hospital. Spirit Halloween, through its Spirit of Children Program, has supported Levine Children’s Hospital patients since 2008 by fundraising and making special Halloween-visits to the hospital each October.