Corporator Development Office Update

New fundraising year is off and running

Corporator support is key to the annual appeal and Bethke Initiative

Despite the challenging economy, Emerson’s Annual Appeal surpassed the goal set for fiscal year 2009: more than $928,000 was raised from 2,500 donors. According to Diane Chellis, assistant director, Emerson Health Care Foundation, the “challenge match” presented to Emerson corporators played an important role.

“Our corporators really came through by meeting the challenge,” says Ms. Chellis in reference to the 1:1 match contributed by a generous donor. “Because corporator giving surpassed $75,000 between June and September, the match was met. By the time our fiscal year ended, 80 percent of our corporators had donated a total of $260,000 to the Annual Appeal. We are very grateful.”

The fundraising challenges never stop. “This year, we hope to see 100 percent participation by our corporators,” she adds.

The 2010 Annual Appeal giving year was launched with a phonathon, which was held at Emerson on November 18. Two hours of enthusiastic phone-calling—made by members of the Annual Appeal Committee, including three new committee members—Karen Donoghue, Jack LaMothe and Paul Purchia—raised $35,000. Many corporators were called and made pledges for the new year.

Two events stood out. “One of our volunteers called a donor who has given generously in the past,” says Ms. Chellis. “The surprise came when the donor asked ‘What about $10,000 this year?’ That made the night a truly successful one.”

Also, Steve Carr won the customary phonathon raffle and, talked out from an evening of spirited fundraising, went home with a bottle of high-quality wine. The next phonathon will be held in the spring.

Tours and events fuel Bethke Cancer Center fundraising

Elsewhere, the Bethke Cancer Center initiative, which is designed to redevelop patient care areas and construct new housing for an additional state-of-the-art linear accelerator, has raised more than $1 million toward the $4 million goal. “The new Naka Infusion Center is complete, beautiful and appreciated by our patients and staff,” reports Melissa Saalfield, major gifts officer.

Construction for the linear accelerator project began December 14. In February, Emerson will host a gathering to celebrate this major advance in cancer care. The event will feature speakers from both Emerson and Massachusetts General Hospital, whose department of radiation oncology operates the clinical service at the Bethke Cancer Center.

Another corporator has joined the Bethke Cancer Center Fundraising Committee. “We are thrilled to welcome Cynthia Deysher to the committee,” says Ms. Saalfield. Ms. Deysher, a Concord resident, is on the Emerson Health Care Foundation Board and served as co-chair for the hospital’s last two galas.

Tours, house parties and other events are fueling the fundraising initiative. A house party, held on September 24 at the home of Heidi and Vaughn Harring of Carlisle, drew more than 50 people. Co-chairs included Pliny and Sue Jewell, Beth Ahearn and Andy Barlow and Paul Birch and Barbara Chapel. Attendees heard presentations from Jon DuBois, MD, chair of the Emerson Hospital Cancer Committee, and Jack McGrath, MD, chief of radiation oncology, about Bethke Cancer Center programs and the need for support.

On October 22, corporator Robert Naka, PhD, hosted a dinner at his Concord home in order to introduce friends to Emerson. Dr. Naka’s generous gift of $250,000 named the hospital’s new infusion center after his late wife, Patricia. After Christine Schuster, president and CEO, provided an update on Emerson clinical programs, Christopher Gilligan, MD, a pain specialist from the Mass General Program for Pain Medicine at Emerson Hospital, described the range of treatment options available for individuals with acute and chronic pain. Jay Agarwal and Virginia Bethke, fellow Concord corporators, also attended Dr. Naka’s dinner.

Thanks to a separate major gift initiative, Emerson’s highly regarded Anticoagulation Clinic is preparing to move into new quarters across Route 2 from the hospital. Neil Rasmussen and Anna Winter Rasmussen, a Concord corporator, made a $250,000 gift in memory of Mrs. Rasmussen’s mother, Mary C. Winter, for whom the clinic will be named. Clinic staff closely monitor individuals who must take anticoagulants—blood-thinning medication—to prevent blood clots.

The staff of the Anticoagulation Clinic represented a lifeline for her mother during her final years, says Mrs. Rasmussen. “Thanks to them, Mother enjoyed an additional 28 years of life after suffering a major stroke. This is something her children and grandchildren will always cherish.”