Foundation News
Nurse Governance Council Bake Sales Brings in the Bucks to Benefit Nurses!
Over $5,200 was raised to support the Nursing Excellence Fund! Thank you to everyone for baking, buying and benefiting! The Nursing Excellence Fund supports innovative education initiatives and research endeavors to continue to develop nursing excellence in caring for patients. Thank you again for supporting our nurses!
Click here to make a gift to supportnurses at Avera McKennan >>
Toast of the Town
The Big Grape 2012 Sponsorship Opportunities!
The Big Grape continues the tradition of improving the lives of children and families through partnerships with friends and sponsors who share in our vision of outstanding health ministry. Click here to view sponsorship opportunities »
SAVE THE DATE
The Big Grape 2012
April 13, 2012
Museum of Visual Materials
www.TheBigGrape.org
Show Your Support Today!
For more information, please email questions to missy.keiper@avera.org.
Click here to download sponsorship agreement »
Celebrating 100 Years of Caring With Those Who Care Most!
On behalf of the Avera McKennan Foundation, we would like to thank you for attending the Gala for a Century held on November 11, 2011. It was a wonderful night for employees, supporters and the community to remember our past and look forward to our future of providing world-class health care.
Through the recognition of our unique and rich heritage, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center has become an integral part of the future of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the region.
Thank you again for celebrating our centennial with us!
View Event Photos Here »
Get Involved: 24th Annual Avera Race Sponsorship Opportunities!
The Avera Race Against Breast Cancer offers opportunities for everyone to help the patients and families at the Avera Cancer Institute. From cash to in-kind sponsorships, the Avera Race offers a variety of sponsorship levels to match your company's marketing goals and budget. Click here to view sponsorship opportunities »
SAVE THE DATE
2012 Avera Avera Against Breast Cancer
May 12, 2012
Avera McKennan Fitness Center
www.AveraRaceSiouxFalls.org
Get Started Today!
For more information, please email questions to missy.keiper@avera.org.
Click here to download Sponsorship Agreement »
Campus Sculpture an Icon for Giving
On Monday, November 7, the Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center campus welcomed a 31-foot metal symbol of heritage, commitment and generosity. "Song of Creation" as it's called, was constructed entirely of stainless steel by sculpture Dale Lamphere of Sturgis, South Dakota. Numerous donors have supported the arts program at Avera McKennan. However, this most recent addition is a true testament to the many donors who have joined Avera McKennan in our commitment to making the arts possible and to share this with other arts in our community.
The sculpture's design includes elements of spirituality, Avera McKennan's roots and heritage through the Presentation and Benedictine Sisters, and the advancing science of medicine and technology. Click here for more information »
Think Pink Awareness Month Raises $20,000 for the Fight!
Thank you to everyone for their support during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Every October, the Avera McKennan Foundation is proud to host a number of events and fundraisers to bring awareness to breast cancer. Thank you again for supporting patients and families at the Avera Cancer Institute!
4th Annual "Paint the Night Pink" Art Showcase & Fashion Show Raises Over $8,000! In honor of breast cancer patients, survivors and their families, regional artists and designers displayed inspired artwork and fashion at the 2011 “Paint the Night Pink” Art Showcase & Fashion Show this past October. This annual event, sponsored by Perspective, Inc., raised over $8,000 to enhance the lives of cancer patients and families while promoting the connection between art, healing, mind, body and spirit.
2011 Pink Fashionista Raises Over $9,000! An evening of trend-setting styles, pulse-pumping entertainment and heartfelt stories provided the perfect blend of fashion and fundraising at this year’s Pink Fashionista. This annual event, sponsored by Stewart School, raised over $9,000 to enhance the lives of cancer patients and families while promoting the Care Store Salon at the Avera Cancer Institute. Thank You to everyone for supporting the 2011 Pink Fashionista! Click here to watch video highlights »
Great Tables Serves Up a Hearty Helping of Support!
The 17th Annual Great Tables Luncheon raised over $10,000 to benefit the Avera Medical Group Health Care Clinic! Highlights of the event were the variety of table themes, amazing food and fashion show and brief program about the importance of the health care clinic and how your support helps those in need. Thank You to everyone who participated and supported this event!
2011-2012 Avera Think Pink Ladies Announced
The Avera McKennan Foundation is proud to announce the newest additions to this esteemed group of volunteer women. Together as one united group with a mission to encourage women to schedule regular breast exams and share their personal story of survival, these survivors have become the faces of breast cancer, humanizing the disease to raise awareness throughout the year.
Meet the Avera Think Pink Ladies »
Granite City Gives!
Are you an Avera employee? Do you love great food? Want to support children in our community?
We have a deal for you... 10% of purchases from the “To Go” menu at Granite City Food & Brewery in Sioux Falls will benefit Avera Children’s Hospital! When ordering, simply ask for a manager and mention you are an Avera Employee to start supporting Avera Children’s Hospital today! Click here to view Large Party Take-Out Menu »
Tots and Teddy Bears
Members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity from the University of South Dakota delivered a load of teddy bears to the Avera Children’s Hospital, as part of their 16th Annual Teddy Bear Run. Fraternity members actually ran the bears in shifts 60 miles up Interstate 29.
This year’s Teddy Bear Run raised $2,500 to help Avera carry out the vision of caring for the body, mind and spirit of a child with every penny staying local to help children and families get the treatment and support they need.
Little Grapes
For the last couple years, Rod Evans of Evans Portrait Gallery has photographed hospitalized and special-needs children whose families say the photo shoots changed their lives, turning tough times into images reflecting the strength and essence of their children. Inspired by these young heroes, Evans offers his services for free as a way to tell their story while giving back to the community.
Thank you for your generous gift of creativity to enhance the lives of children and families at Avera Children's and for supporting The Big Grape Reserve 2011. Click through the tabs to view the photos and read their stories of triumph.
Bryce
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For thirteen years, Bryce was known for his fun-loving actions and practical jokes. But what happened one afternoon was anything but funny. An accident that involved his brother’s vehicle landed young Bryce in critical condition at Avera McKennan. Having suffered traumatic brain injury, his future was unclear. Thanks to the caregivers at Avera Children’s and the support of his family and friends, Bryce slowly began to make progress despite the odds. Today, Bryce has returned home and is resuming his normal daily activities. He continues to work on rehabilitation but is getting stronger every day.
Chayce
Since being born premature in 2006, little Chayce has been a trooper. Originally from California, Chayce and his family were no strangers to their local hospital. Having been placed on a feeding tube by the age of 16-months old to correct acid reflux, he continued to experience eating and feeding problems. Eventually, the family moved to South Dakota where a routine check-up at Avera Children’s led to a whirlwind of tests and procedures. Chayce initially complained of stomach pain but went on to have seizures; requiring emergency medical services. Thankfully, they were in the right place at the right time. Today, despite multiple tests and procedures, Chayce continues to experience issues with his stomach and esophagus but is making progress thanks to the care at Avera Children’s.
Mariah
Mariah is a young girl full of smiles and laughter. Mariah came to Avera Children’s Pediatric ICU after falling, causing a spleen injury. Mariah was hospitalized for a couple weeks on bed rest. During her recovery she was full of energy and kept the child life specialists busy with all her craft projects and games, she was eager to play. Her favorite activity was syringe painting. Mariah would stay up late into the evening watching movies and having sleepovers with her friend in her hospital room.
Soon after Mariah was discharged, she was right back visiting Avera Children’s for a few days before discharging for the second time. A few months had gone by and one day Mariah was admitted again as she wasn’t feeling well. After several tests, pokes, and x-rays they found out her appendix was causing her discomfort. So off to surgery she went and was very brave. Three hospitalizations in a short amount of time, Mariah has overcome challenges and never lost her smile and laughter. Mariah was a lot of fun and Avera Children’s staff was honored in taking care of her during her hospitalizations.
Mason
Weighing in at a mere 1 lbs, 4 oz, Mason spent the three months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Avera Children’s struggling with infections. His mother, Jessica, suffered from a syndrome where a deadly antibody threatened the life of her unborn child. She immediately underwent treatments and she and her husband were thrilled to welcome their little miracle into the world. Despite spending time in the NICU, little Mason continues to grow stronger and everyone is optimistic he will lead a healthy life free of complications resulting from his premature arrival.
Mikayla
Full of spirit and energy, ten-year-old Mikayla was spending a typical summer afternoon playing in a city park when her life was thrown a curve ball. While climbing a large tree, she lost her balance and fell to the ground. After the resounding “thud” came the realization of her injuries. Her head was split open and her body was bruised. After a visit to the local emergency room, it was determined that she had broken her back and was immediately transferred to Avera Children’s Hospital for surgery. Two days later, Mikayla was on the mend – only memories and a large brace reminded her of that fateful afternoon. Thanks to the care of Avera Children’s and the child life specialists, she is due to make a full recovery.
