Time is critical when treating cancer. Thanks to generous donors and community supporters, the researchers at the Avera Cancer Institute Center for Precision Oncology are working to provide answers as quickly as possible. With your help, the Avera Cancer Institute hopes to provide every patient with the personalized cancer treatment needed for the best outcome. Learn more about the campaign
In light of advancing technology and care practices, as well as the growth of programs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the foundation launched the Little Footprints, Big Hearts: Campaign for Avera NICU to construct an updated facility within Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center. Learn about the campaign
The Employee Giving Campaign is an opportunity for Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center employees to make a financial contribution to the hospital community. All funds go towards furthering the mission of Avera and supporting its patients and staff. Learn more about the campaign
Through the Caring for Community: Focus on Faith chapel campaign, our goal is to offer an exceptional retirement living experience with direct access to faith, care and quality features. Learn about the campaign
Thanks to support from the community, the Walsh Family Village opened in 2008 as part of an on-campus lodging project. Your gifts provide a shoulder to cry on, a caring soul to share their pain, a homemade meal and a a quiet room to call their home. The Walsh Family Village is available to its guests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Generosity from partners like you secure the financial support needed to continue providing this community service. Learn more about the village
Unique in the nation, Avera Family Wellness Program has the potential to change many lives-by limiting the suffering caused by behavioral disorders. The program combines genetic and environmental principles with an aim toward health and wellness in children, families and communities.
Learn about the Avera Family Wellness Program.
Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Services Fund enhances services for behavioral health patients including staff and patient education, medical equipment and technology, patient programs, and facility improvements.
Leander Endowment provides support for education for Behavioral Health Services staff.
Avera Reaching Kids Fund provides funding for the Avera Reaching Kids program by focusing on early intervention and prevention of emotional/behavioral disorders in children enrolled in preschool programs within select Sioux Falls elementary schools.
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Cancer and Blood Disorders
Cancer Program Fund enhances cancer treatment by supporting the whole person, mind, body and spirit, through cancer programs including but not limited to survivorship programs, nutrition counseling, integrative medicine such as massage, aromatherapy, art therapy, movement therapy, fitness programming, and educational materials and activities for patients, families and staff.
Precision Oncology/Genomic Research Fund enhances cancer treatment by supporting a personalized medicine program. Personalized medicine allows for cancer therapies to be provided to patients based on their individual genomic profile. Genomic medicine gives physicians a better way to predict which cancer treatments will work for each person. This fund provides assistance to patients through a comprehensive approval process.
Cancer Navigation Fund provides funding for the patient navigation program to educate and guide patients through the treatment process. Navigators serve as a resource for patients in many ways such as providing support for decision making in every phase of treatment, offering emotional and spiritual support when needed and guiding local, regional and national support services.
Bone Marrow Transplant Fund supports programs and services for bone marrow transplant patients and their families including but not limited to recruiting bone marrow donors, enhancing patient support programs, and providing educational materials and activities for patients, families and staff.
Breast Cancer Fund supports prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship programs for breast cancer patients.
Integrative Medicine Fund enhances cancer treatment by supporting the whole person, mind, body and spirit, through integrative medicine including but not limited to massage, aromatherapy, art therapy, movement therapy and fitness programming.
Lymphoma and Leukemia Fund enhances care for lymphoma patients and their families including patient programs, education, and financial assistance for items not normally covered through insurance programs.
Compassion In Action Fund supports patients and families battling blood disorder cancers and/or awaiting a bone marrow transplant with financial assistance for additional expenses associated with their illness.
Valerie Raye Merry Endowment provides support for genomic medicine at the Avera Cancer Institute. It was established in 2015 by her family and friends.
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Charity Care and Patient Assistance
Caring for Life Fund assists patients and families with out-of-pocket medical expenses such as travel, lodging, prescriptions and medical supplies/equipment.
Health Care Clinic Fund provides support for primary health care services to the people of our community regardless of their ability to pay.
Walsh Family Village Fund provides support for on-campus lodging for families of patients receiving treatment at Avera McKennan. The village includes Casa de Carlitos Welcome Center, Nano Nagle Inn, and Ronald McDonald House.
Make a gift today
Children - Avera Reaching Kids (ARK)
Children's Fund enhances services for pediatric patients including staff and patient education, medical equipment and technology, and Child-Life programs.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Fund enhances services for NICU patients including staff and patient education, life-saving medical equipment and technology, and family support programs.
Avera Reaching kids provides funding for the Avera Reaching Kids program by focusing on early intervention and prevention of emotional/behavioral disorders in children enrolled in preschool programs within select Sioux Falls elementary schools.
Ian's Thumbs Up FUNd provides financial assistance to families of children with medical needs as identified by the Child Life Specialists and Pediatric Social Workers at Avera. The fund was created in memory of Ian Keisacker who lived his short life to the fullest and enjoyed giving back to the community.
Dr. Dennis and Mary Ann Knutson Endowment provides financial support to families with children needing to travel to receive medical care.
Kevin Knudsen Endowment provides annual scholarships for young athletes to train in the Acceleration program at Avera Sports Institute.
Nasser Law Offices P.C. Endowment supports various activities for children facing hospitalization including Child-Life programs, entertainment options and creative therapy. The endowment was created in memory of Matthew Nasser.
Becky Vander Tuig Endowment provides support to children with medical needs and their families. It was established in 2016 by her loving husband and family to honor one of Becky’s life goals to help families with sick children.
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Endowments
Helen McKennan Endowment provides annual support to the Avera McKennan Fund.
Eugenia Burgraff Endowment provides annual operating support for the Avera McKennan Hospice Program.
Jean Cramer Endowment provides annual operating support for the Avera McKennan Hospice Program.
Virginia (Boler) Flicek and Melinda Camber Porter Endowment provides support to multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer patients and their families needing financial assistance for items not normally covered through insurance programs.
Judy Herron Endowment provides annual operating support for the Dougherty Hospice House.
Dr. Lynden B. and Shirley King Endowment supports the mission of Avera McKennan.
Kristi Roberts Gregg Endowment provides annual operating support for the Dougherty Hospice House.
Mary Kirby Rohn Endowment supports bereavement programs and services.
Kevin Knudsen Endowment provides annual scholarships for young athletes to train in the Acceleration program at Avera Sports Institute.
Dr. Dennis and Mary Ann Knutson Endowment provides financial support to families with children needing to travel to receive medical care.
Sheryl Johnson Endowment Fund supports the mission of Avera McKennan.
Leander Endowment provides support for education for Behavioral Health Services staff.
Ron Radermacher Family Endowment provides annual operating support for the Dougherty Hospice House.
Thomas M. Reardon Family Endowment provides annual operating support for the Avera McKennan Hospice Program.
Marcella Schuur Endowment provides funds for patient care and staff support at the Dougherty Hospice House.
Guy VanDemark Endowment supports the mission of Avera McKennan.
John Vander Wal Endowment provides annual operating support for the Walsh Family Village.
Brian T. Hurley Education Endowment provides annual support to the education fund.
Greg and Pam Sands Endowment provides annual support to behavioral health services.
William “Bill” Watson Endowment provides annual support for hospice care and services.
Robert S. and Linda K. Baker Family Endowment provides annual support for hospice care and services.
Finnegan Family Endowment provides annual support for hospice care and services.
Rasmussen Family Endowment provides annual support for hospice care and services.
Valerie Raye Merry Endowment provides support for genomic medicine at the Avera Cancer Institute. It was established in 2015 by her family and friends.
Becky Vander Tuig Endowment provides support to children with medical needs and their families. It was established in 2016 by her loving husband and family to honor one of Becky’s life goals to help families with sick children.
Make a gift today
Hospice
Hospice Fund provides annual operating support for Avera McKennan Hospice to provide care to improve the quality of a patient's end-of-life journey, offering comfort and dignity from an interdisciplinary team of specially trained professionals and volunteers. Funding provides care offered in home settings through our Home Hospice services and at the Dougherty Hospice House.
Marcella Schuur Endowment provides funds for patient care and staff support at the Dougherty Hospice House.
Ron Radermacher Family Endowment provides annual operating support for the Dougherty Hospice House.
Thomas M. Reardon Family Endowment provides annual operating support for the Avera McKennan Hospice Program.
Jean Cramer Endowment provides annual operating support for the Avera McKennan Hospice Program.
Eugenia Burgraff Endowment provides annual operating support for the Avera McKennan Hospice Program.
Kristi Roberts Gregg Endowment provides annual operating support for the Dougherty Hospice House.
Judy Herron Endowment provides annual operating support for the Dougherty Hospice House.
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Prince of Peace
Comforts of Home Fund provides furnishings, equipment, and materials to create a warm, home-like atmosphere for residents at Avera Prince of Peace.
Prince of Peace Chapel Fund provides support for worship, meditation and spiritual reflection for Prince of Peace residents and their families.
Prince of Peace Building Fund helps fund the building and equipment of an expanded Avera Prince of Peace Campus.
Prince of Peace Endowment provides annual operating support for Avera Prince of Peace.
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Transplant
Organ Transplant Fund enhances services for kidney and pancreas transplant patients including staff and patient education, medical equipment and technology, patient programs, and patient assistance including evaluation transportation, meals, and lodging.
Bone Marrow Transplant Fund supports programs and services for Bone Marrow Transplants and their families including but not limited to recruiting bone marrow donors, enhancing patient support programs, and providing educational materials and activities for patients, families and staff.
Compassion In Action Fund provides support to patients and families battling blood disorder cancers and/or awaiting a bone marrow transplant through financial assistance for out-of-pocket expenses associated with their illness.
Walsh Family Village Fund provides support for on-campus lodging for families of patients receiving treatment at Avera McKennan. The village includes Casa de Carlitos Welcome Center , Nano Nagle Inn, and Ronald McDonald House.
Make a gift today
Walsh Family Village
Walsh Family Village Fund provides support for on-campus lodging for families of patients receiving treatment at Avera McKennan. The village includes Casa de Carlitos Welcome Center, Nano Nagle Inn, and Ronald McDonald House.
John Vander Wal Endowment provides annual operating support for the Walsh Family Village.
Make a gift today
Additional Foundation Funds
Chapel Fund
- provides support for worship, meditation and spiritual reflection for patients and their families.
Diabetes Care Fund
- enhances diabetes care services including staff and patient education, patient programs, medical equipment, and community education programs.
Education Services Fund
- enhances medical education programs and services, and provides education opportunities for Avera McKennan staff and community members.
Nursing Excellence Fund
- supports innovative education initiatives and research endeavors to continue to develop nursing excellence in caring for patients.
DeSchepper Scholarship Fund
- provides educational opportunities and scholarships to the staff of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department. A minimum scholarship of $500 is awarded annually.
Kris Christensen Paramedic Fund
- provides scholarships for individuals accepted into the Avera McKennan School of Emergency Medical Services for the Paramedic Education program.
Sister Colman Coakley Education Scholarship Fund
- provides scholarships for Avera McKennan employees advancing their education in a health related field. A minimum scholarship of $1,000 is awarded annually.
Pharmacy Education Fund
- provides support for staff education and pharmacy programs.
Neurosciences Fund
- enhances services for patients with neurological and neurosurgical condition. These funds support staff and patient education, medical equipment and technology, and other patient programs.
Rehabilitation Fund
- enhances services for rehabilitation patients including staff and patient education, medical equipment and technology, joint camp and other patient programs.
Kevin Knudsen Endowment
- provides annual scholarships for young athletes to train in the Acceleration program at Avera Sports Institute.
Women's / OB Fund
- enhances services for prenatal patients and their families including staff and patient education, medical equipment and technology, and patient and family programs.
Women's Health Fund
- enhances innovative services for women's health with an emphasis on helping women through hormonal transitions including staff and patient education.
The Dr. Dave and Mary Ann Kapaska New Americans in Health Care Fund
- recognizes Dr. Kapaska's contributions to the Avera mission by providing higher education scholarships for those entering the dynamic filed of health care.
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