The Legacy of a New Generation
As the holiday season approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible generosity and support we have received from our community. Their dedication to our mission of advancing healthcare in the Northwoods has made a profound impact, and for that, we are truly grateful. We wanted to share with you a potential opportunity to partner with us on a very special year-end special gift initiative.
BECOME INVOLVED IN OUR LEGACY $1 = $4 MATCH APPEAL
Just like Dr. Kate Pelham-Newcomb’s “Million Penny” campaign 70 years ago, the success of “Our Legacy” year-end appeal depends on the support of those who will benefit from it – everyone who lives in and visits the communities served by Howard Young Medical Center (HYMC) and Aspirus Eagle River Hospital (Eagle River). Now, we have the opportunity to create our own legacy. The Howard Young Foundation has set a year-end special gift initiative goal to raise $400K for a state-of-the-art 128-slice CT scanner at Aspirus Eagle River Hospital plus advanced technology to improve the initial treatment of acute stroke patients for both HYMC and Eagle River CT scanners. During the appeal, every gift quadruples in value through the generosity of Foundation extraordinary benefactors Don and Abby Funk and Aspirus Health for a total of $1.6 million.
BUILDING UPON A LEGACY OF CARING
In 2016, our donors helped bring HYMC far above the standard of care with the purchase of the 128-slice dual source CT scanner providing world class diagnostics right here at home. With your gift, Eagle River will also be brought far above the current standard level of care with a new 128-slice CT scanner. "The new 128-slice CT scanner is much faster, produces higher quality images, delivers a lower radiation dose, has metal reduction software, and allows for use with heavier patients," said Dr. Shinners, MD, Radiology Director at Aspirus Health. "This is a current top of the line CT scanner which excels at all emergency room imaging and other patients who need it."
According to the American Heart Association, a stroke occurs roughly every 40 seconds, and each year there are about 795,000 strokes in the United States. In the Northwoods, physicians see up to six patients with stroke symptoms every day. Getting the right treatment as soon as possible is critical. This year HYMC earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Stroke Ready Certification.
To build on this already established excellence, your gift will also help enhance the HYMC and Eagle River CT scanners to be able to perform CT Perfusion (CTP) scans. A CTP scan is an advanced test to measure blood flow to the brain and thus determine whether there is repairable brain tissue to save. It is fast, noninvasive, painless, and accurate. The CTP is combined with a CT angiogram performed at the same time to help plan the best course of treatment. “Having CTP scan capabilities at HYMC and Eagle River will change how we initially evaluate and drive treatment decisions in our patients suspected of acute stroke,” Dr. Shinners said. “This rapid triage is perfect for our rural hospitals and has the potential to improve and save lives and will be used daily on both CT scanners.” The combination of CT exams plays a crucial role in determining which patients with acute stroke should be transported to a tertiary stroke hospital where the acute blood clot causing the patients stroke symptoms will be removed via new advanced catheter techniques which have revolutionized the treatment of acute stroke. It also helps the receiving facility prepare treatment for the patient before they even arrive.
"HYMC and Eagle River will be the only hospitals in the northern region with these capabilities," Dr. Shinners noted. "It’s about more than just saving lives. It’s about potentially preventing devastating non-lethal effects of stroke for a much better life."
$1 = $4 MATCH APPEAL QUADRUPLES YOUR GIFT’S IMPACT
Every generous, and life changing gift to the “Our Legacy” appeal will be quadrupled in value. As a beneficiary of his legacy, a portion of Don and Abby Funk’s planned gift will match gifts from the community up to $400,000 for a total of $800,000. That amount is being matched by Aspirus Health for a total of $1.6 million. That means every gift is quadrupled in value of impact.
This holiday season, you can help ensure that our hospitals can provide this critical equipment and CPT scans for stroke patients in our communities. You have the power to save a life by supporting stroke identification and treatment. During this season of giving, please consider contributing to our special year-end gift initiative – Imagine Our Future fund. On behalf of the Howard Young Foundation, we wish you peace and good health this holiday season.
