Sanford Health Foundation

On this Employee Appreciation Day, we're grateful for the way our employees step up to support our patients and others. In 2025 alone, employees gave $3.2 million to support the work of the Foundation. And since 2020, over $2.6 million in employee donations has been provided to fellow employees experiencing personal hardship. Sanford Health and Good Samaritan team employees make a difference – in our communities and for each other! #EmployeeAppreciationDay

Together, we can make a difference! Employees who pledge at least $50 to the Sanford Health Foundation – whether a one-time gift, recurring, or payroll deduction – and get this shirt. Plus, your gift has 2x the impact for colleagues in need: 100% of every dollar donated by employees this month will be matched for the Employee Crisis Assistance Program. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/gQQq7iJJ

Thanks to your giving, we are able to offer cancer patients the Paxman Scalp Cooling system in Sioux Falls and Bismarck. This innovative treatment, also known as the "cold cap," helps reduce hair loss during chemotherapy. Learn more in this story from KFYR: https://san.fo/4kkeLeo

We feel fortunate to live in such a generous community! Several of the incredible individuals highlighted in this article are also donors to the Sanford Health Foundation, and their impact is felt every day. 20 years ago, Denny Sanford that was inspire others to give. That spirit of generosity continues to shine through our donors. Their support helps provide hope and healing to our patients, ensuring that compassionate care and groundbreaking innovation remain at the heart of everything we do. https://san.fo/41y3mAm

If you've visited the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, you may have enjoyed the convenience of free valet parking. What you may not know is that the valets donate their tips to the Children's Miracle Network to support local children. This year, they donated a record $25,000. Watch the story from Keloland: https://san.fo/3Xjo9oQ

Valentine's Day celebrations have been going on all week with the pediatric patients at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center! Our child life specialists, who are funded through your generous support, have been having a blast decorating cookies and helping the kiddos place Valentine treat bags into mailboxes at the patient rooms. Stay tuned for more Valentine's Day fun...including a very special kissing booth! ?? ??

Love is living on in the hearts of Bismarck families thanks in part to the kindness and compassion of Guardian Angels like the Rev. Stephanie Lorenz, the Sanford Med Center Chaplain in Bismarck. Stephanie was nominated for a Guardian Angel award for her efforts to make fingerprint pendants and "heartbeat in a bottle" pieces for families who have lost loved ones. Chaplain Lorenz has made more than 2,000 pendants like these for local families — a beautiful way to keep their loved one's touch close to their hearts. Learn more about our Guardian Angel program: https://san.fo/41pahfj

Capt. Paul Weckman, Sanford head of military and veteran affairs, saw his cancer diagnosis as a way to help others. His fundraiser through the Sanford Health Foundation has raised over $21,000 for veterans’ services at Sanford – and he’s still going strong! Here, he’s presenting a print called “The Guardian” to Dr. Roxana Lupu as a fundraiser gift. Learn more about Capt. Weckman’s fundraiser and join the effort here: https://san.fo/3EzDcnN

Foundation-funded research was recently published in the Journal of Pediatric Physical Therapy! Dan Steventon and Dr. Sam Milanovich looked at how chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) affects the way children walk. The studies found common issues in the children's gate, which can affect a child's overall movement and development. The study also showed that while special equipment can provide detailed information, physical therapists can use observation, especially of ankle movement, to look for gait abnormalities. https://san.fo/3WEaEQ7

"If you give one dollar a month, you're a philanthropist." Senior Development Officer Travis Christopher, CFRE joined the "In Our Wheelhouse" podcast to share his story, his passion for connecting people to meaningful ways of giving back, and the power of collaboration. Check it out at the links below!