Thank you for your unwavering support

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My daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 11. (Read Alex’s story)

It was a crash course in the realities of the healthcare landscape. Quality care was not universal, and that brought its share of challenges. As my daughter’s health improved, I decided I wanted to help transform healthcare in our community. It was a journey that led me to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.

Novant Health maintains an unwavering focus on quality care for all patients at all times. Providers, team members and volunteers are critical to that work. So are our donors.

You, our donors, never cease to amaze me in your willingness to rally behind a common goal. That has come to light even more in recent months as our community is facing a crisis unlike any other. The COVID-19 pandemic has put our healthcare workers on the front lines and our donors in a critical role: Your gifts are changing lives every single day.

You are the reason our healthcare workers have access to emergency child care services, are able to cover basic expenses such as rent and utilities, and can find temporary lodging to spare loved ones from undue risk. You are the reason our remarkable care continues, despite an unprecedented challenge.

Thank you for all you do to ensure we can continue our commitment to quality, equitable care when our community needs it most. You are a vital part of the work that saves lives every single day. Never forget the impact you have. I know I won’t.

Sincerely,

Alex Funderburg
Board chairman
Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation

Gary Niess, MD, on the origins of his cardiology career and what the future holds for cardiac patients in Charlotte

In his time at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Niess has been part of some significant milestones. He performed the second heart catheterization ever done at the hospital. He has treated and counseled patients and families across the community. And in time, as his physician colleagues saw it, he became “a suit” — part of the Novant Health administration — which took him out of regular practice and put him into opportunities that have allowed him to transform care at a broader level.  

A perfect example is the new building opening later this year that will house the Novant Health Claudia W. and John M. Belk Heart & Vascular Institute, as well as the Novant Health Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Cancer Institute.

To learn more about the remarkable care that will be provided at the Novant Health Belk Heart & Vascular Institute, visit SupportNovantHealth.org/GaryNiess.

Pink in the Rink with the Charlotte Checkers

Through our continued partnership with the Charlotte Checkers, we joined their annual Pink in the Rink hockey game. Checkers players took the ice wearing special pink jerseys, which were auctioned off after the game. Proceeds from the auction and ticket sales supported the Novant Health Buddy Kemp Cancer Support Center, and during the game, Buddy Kemp Center survivors and Buddy Kemp’s family members were honored.

The Buddy Kemp Cancer Support Center provides care to patients and their loved ones throughout their cancer journeys, helping them cope with the harsh realities of cancer. Our team members at the center offer hope and healing through education, support groups, seminars and therapy sessions, among other initiatives. To learn more about this critical work, visit NovantHealth.org/BuddyKemp.

Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

Since 2004, the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has donated $169,447 to Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital Child Life Program, and in 2019 their impact continued with a $30,000 donation, plus an additional $7,732 raised through online event registrations.

These gifts have helped support the program’s greatest needs and patient programming items and supplies to help make the hospital feel a bit more like home for the children, from arts and crafts to movies, wagons and toys.

In 2020, funds will support Caroline’s Corner, a new kitchen and family living room for patients and families at Hemby. Caroline’s Corner will bring care, comfort and hope to families with a hospitalized child. Plans are in place to create a spacious, private and peaceful retreat uniquely designed to meet the needs of pediatric patients’ families. The area will be constructed and furnished to make every day spent at the hospital a little more comfortable, enabling families to focus on their child’s healing and recovery.

This year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Registration is available at RunCharlotte.com.

Cullen Jones turned a near-death experience into Olympic gold and a lifetime of community advocacy

“The closer I get to what Novant Health is and what Novant Health does, the more I realize how many great things are happening,” Cullen Jones, development manager and U.S. Olympian said. “It’s important to continue raising money so we can continue doing what we do for the community.”

To learn more about Cullen’s remarkable story and work, visit SupportNovantHealth.org/CullenJones.