Volunteer Fundraising for Marshfield Clinic
Once again in 2012, hundreds of volunteers were called to action, pursuing their passion to make a difference in health care at Marshfield Clinic. Their efforts supported research, patient care and education at the Clinic. In the process, they generated more than $260,000 at more than 35 events and activities.
Volunteer fundraisers remain a vital part of the philanthropic efforts for Marshfield Clinic. Here are just some of their stories.
Mike's Run
This event, in its second year, was a five-mile run or two-mile run/walk that promoted mental health awareness.
Competitors take off at the start of the Hub City Days Duathlon last year. Utilizing funds from a very successful 2012 Mike's Run, Behavioral Health staff at Marshfield Center purchased a comprehensive collection of books, DVDs and children's books. All of these resources are now available at the Marshfield Public Library.
Through the partnership between Mike's Run and Marshfield Clinic, the Clinic's Behavioral Health staff hosted a community mental health conference. This conference helped parents and community members recognize the signs of suicidal behavior in young children and teens.
Mike's Run 2013 will be held June 22 at Hackman Field. To register for the event, call 1-800-858-5220 or visit
www.marshfieldclinic.org/mikesrun.
Duathlon
The Hub City Days Duathlon raised more than $40,000 for the Youth Net program sponsored by Marshfield Clinic. With over 300 runners and bikers, the Duathlon is a unique event that attracts experienced athletes as well as the adventurous family team or weekend warrior.
The Hub City Days Duathlon has partnered with two other duathlons in the region to create the Triple Crown. Individual participants who complete the Wausau, Stevens Point and Marshfield duathlons will be scored together and the top three individuals will be recognized for their high scoring achievements.
The 2013 Hub City Days Duathlon will be held on July 27 at the University of Wisconsin- Marshfield/Wood County. To register, call 1-800-858-5220 or visit
www.marshfieldclinic.org/duathlon.
Lincoln County Rodeo Association
In 2012, the Lincoln County Rodeo Association donated $3,000 to Marshfield Clinic's Wausau/Weston cancer care patient fund.
During the past five years, the rodeo association has donated a total of $15,600 to the Clinic to help patients. The most recent gift was made possible through last summer's Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. The money was raised from the sale of Tough Enough to Wear Pink apparel, a quilt raffle and a 5K run and walk held in conjunction with the rodeo.
"We're happy to help cancer patients and their families," said Gail Bloch, a member of the rodeo association.
Roth Family Events
The Roth family hosts a golf outing and bike/run each year to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research at Marshfield Clinic.
Last year's golf outing was a great success, with more than 72 golfers participating. Overall, the golf outing and bike/run events raised over $9,846, bringing the Roth Family fundraising total to almost $27,000.
Play 4 Pink
The UW-Marshfield/Wood County Marauders.
The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County Marauders women's volleyball team hosted their second annual Play 4 Pink event on October 3 to raise money for breast cancer research at Marshfield Clinic.
"We are donating directly to the Marshfield Clinic so the funds stay close to home," said Coach Brittany Lueth.
The team wore pink and black uniforms during their game against the UW-Fox Valley Cyclones. They also sold Play 4 Pink t-shirts, bracelets and temporary tattoos during the game.
Bright Horizons
In conjunction with the Week of the Young Child, Bright Horizons Childcare Center of Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital and Marshfield Clinic took their commitment to our children one step further. They organized and held a silent art auction, raising more than $1,500 to support educational and comfort items for children with juvenile diabetes throughout the Clinic system.
Each classroom worked for weeks preparing beautiful and creative art projects made largely out of recycled materials. From wind chimes to bug baskets, and herb gardens to wall hangings, the parents and staff had a huge variety of handcrafted items on which to bid. The Week of the Young Child celebrates early childhood programs and focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families.
Wrap It for Will
Becky Krause (front left) presented gift cards to Brenda Garrigan. R.N., as (back row, from left) Angie Kelnhofer, Dave Krause and medical assistant Danine Sell look on.
For many, the holidays mean love, family and traveling to visit loved ones. But for some families touched by childhood cancer, this busy season can create quite a hardship. Traveling great distances for treatments and care takes you further from your loved ones, and the expenses can add up quickly.
Childhood cancer is a struggle Dave and Becky Krause have been dealing with since March 2012 when their son Will was diagnosed with leukemia. "We are so fortunate to receive treatment in the community we live in," Becky said. "We have met families, many single income, who travel from as far away as the UP of Michigan."
Angie Kelnhofer, a close friend of the Krauses and an independent Scentsy consultant, came up with the idea of the "Wrap it for Will" campaign. She held a Scentsy fundraiser and donated her commission on the sales to purchase gas cards for families dealing with childhood cancers. Through the efforts of Kelnhofer and the Krauses, $1,000 was raised for these gift cards, distributed over the holidays to families through the Pediatric Oncology Department.
Teen organized toy drive
Katie Woods (third from left) was accompanied by (from left) Katie’s sister, Jaime, and her mother, Keri. Brenda Garrigan, R.N., is at right. Katie Woods, 13, Boulder Junction, has a passion for helping children with cancer. She and her family travelled to Marshfield Clinic to deliver 13 large totes of toys, movies, puzzles and gift cards.
Contributions valued at $3,600 were made to the Pediatric Oncology Department's Treasure Chest, which benefits children who are fighting cancer.
"Katie made a similar donation several years ago," said Tiffany Halan, Marshfield Clinic Development Department stewardship coordinator. "After her original donation, Registered Nurse Brenda Garrigan forwarded to Katie thank-you cards from the children who had benefited from the toys. This helped Katie decide to organize and make the donation again, but bigger and better."
Woods knows how meaningful the Treasure Chest is: As a past patient, she used to pick from the chest herself. "That is why this project is so important to Katie," said her mother, Keri Woods. "We hope this contribution and Katie being a cancer survivor will give other children and families hope that they too, can beat cancer."
Woods generated donations from a letter-writing campaign to companies connected to her father's business and support from Cruzin' for a Cause, a local snowmobiling club. "Most everyone I asked donated something," she said.
Shooting for a Cure
The annual pool tournament, held in early April in Wisconsin Rapids, celebrated its 12th year in 2012, raising $29,000 for breast cancer research at Marshfield Clinic.
The event continues to grow, attracting more than 200 participants for the women's and men's pool competition. Participants enjoy great competition, raffles and camaraderie. Doris Laskowski, Brandon Jacoby and a committee of volunteers organized the 2012 event which involved multiple locations in Wisconsin Rapids. The event has raised over $247,000 for breast cancer research at Marshfield Clinic.
The Sports Den's Breast Cancer Awareness Ride and Run/Walk
Breast cancer ride raises more than $20,000.
Joan and Denny Riedel, of The Sports Den in Marshfield, and their volunteers have made this event a huge success. In its fifth year, the event continues to attract returning participants and new supporters.
The Sports Den hosts the Breast Cancer Awareness Ride and Raffle each October in conjunction with Trek Bicycle Corporation's nationwide campaign in support of breast cancer awareness. In 2012, The Sports Den recorded the largest overall turnout of bikers, runners and walkers of all the Trek dealers nationwide, with 213 riders participating in the bike ride and 190 runners/walkers joining in the 3, 6 or 12 mile run/walk. The more than 50 volunteers and overwhelming community support are key to this event.
In total, their efforts raised more than $20,970 for breast cancer awareness with the majority supporting Marshfield Clinic's Mobile Mammography services. Save the date for the next ride and run/walk on October 12, 2013.
Strike Out Breast Cancer
The 7th Annual Softball Tournament and Bean Bag Tournament to Strike Out Cancer raised $4,255 in September at the Marshfield Fairgrounds. Proceeds benefit breast cancer research at Marshfield Clinic. Over 40 softball players and 24 teams of bean bag throwers participated.
Connie Greenwald of Marshfield organizes this annual event, with the Marshfield Softball Association's support. The event started as a way to assist fellow Marshfield softball players battling cancer. Each year, if there was a softball player with breast cancer, the association would give a portion of the proceeds to her to help defray medical costs. The other portion would support Marshfield Clinic breast cancer research.
This year's softball and bean bag tournament will be on September 21, 2013 at the Marshfield Fairgrounds.
Aim for a Cure
Blackhawk Archers and the family and friends of Richard Lepak held the 2nd Annual "Aim for a Cure" Richard Lepak Memorial Archery Shoot on June 23 and 24, 2012 at the Blackhawk Archery Club in Custer, Wisconsin to help support cancer research at Marshfield Clinic. Chairperson Laura Lauer organized the event with Rita Lepak, Richard's wife. Thirty-seven archers helped raise $1,182. The 2013 event will be held on August 3rd and 4th.
Trout Lake Golf Club Ladies Golf Event
Let's Tee of..showing their support.
On June 21st the ladies league at the Trout Lake Golf Club in Minocqua hosted the "Let's Tee off Against Breast Cancer" golf outing. The event raised $7,072 for breast cancer research at Marshfield Clinic. The event featured an 18-hole-scramble, door prizes, silent auction, raffle, and reception. For more information about the Trout Lake Golf Club Outing, please contact organizer Karen Lewis at 715-588-1273. Ladies, save the date – June 20, 2013.
Ridin' for a Reason
Nothing raises awareness about breast cancer better than 300-plus motorcycles rumbling through the Chippewa Valley. More than $5,000 was raised to support Marshfield Clinic's mobile mammography program to bring convenient access to women across Wisconsin. This year's event will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2013 in Eau Claire. For more information, go to
www.ridinforareasonrally.com
Pink the Rink
Marshfield girls' hockey team holds Pink the Rink. The Marshfield High School girls' hockey team in March presented a check for $1,700 to Women Living with Hope, a Marshfield Clinic support group for women affected by breast cancer.
The team held its first "Pink the Rink" event to raise the money. Coaches were dressed in pink, and as more money was raised, the coaches had to put on more pink-colored clothing and accessories.
The event included raffle prizes and a coaches shootout, and the team sold paper hockey sticks that could be displayed with the names of friends and family members battling cancer.
Ladies Night Out Bowling Tournament
The Ladies Night Out Bowling tournament is organized by Susie Erickson and the Northwoods Bowling League at Eagle Lanes in Eagle River, Wisconsin. The event raised $5,830 to support the James Beck Cancer Center Patient Care Fund.
The pin tournament includes a ceremony to celebrate cancer survivors and remember past friends. Many of the bowlers have either experienced cancer or have been touched by someone experiencing it. A portion of the proceeds will be used to replace the televisions on the patient care chairs in the treatment rooms.
Strike Out against Breast Cancer –D.C. Everest Softball League
The D.C. Everest girls fast pitch softball team directed their league tournament proceeds to support the Patient Care Cancer Fund in Wausau/Weston. The home teams wore pink jerseys and sold additional items and raised over $3,000 to support the fund.
The coaches wanted a project that would provide a new twist to support cancer care efforts locally. The tournament is held in Weston and Wausau in late spring.
Hagen's Friends Helping Friends
Jim Hagen organized an all-day country music festival that was held in September 2012 in Rhinelander to benefit children with cancer. The event hosted bands from the local music scene and raised $5,303, with proceeds directed to support pediatric oncology. This year's festival is scheduled for October 19 at the Northwoods Banquet Center/Taj Mahal in Rhinelander.
Diane Weber-Louze Memorial Fundraisers
Dale and Charlotte Weber of Tomahawk have become seasoned fundraisers, hosting events in their daughter's memory for nearly 15 years. They have hosted golf events, dart tournaments, pool tournaments, horseshoe tournaments and a poker run, all to raise funds for Lupus research.
In 2012, their event generated almost $1,800, Their daughter, Diane Weber-Louze, died in 1997 at age 40 after battling lupus.
Pink Heart of Wisconsin
Myron Gadke and the Mobile Mammography staff went above and beyond when they organized the 2012 Pink Heart of Wisconsin. They organized a wonderful event with food, live music, vendor displays, silent auctions and raffles at the Marshfield Eagles Club.
Pink Heart of Wisconsin has raised nearly $57,000 in the last six years to help women receive mammograms.
The money supports the Catherine Fonti Angel Fund, which provides assistance to Marshfield Clinic patients who are unable to pay for mammograms and other breast cancer prevention services. This year's event will be on September 25th.
Clinic Employees Give Back
Marshfield Clinic employees are called to action year-round by hosting fundraisers and participating in Clinic events. Below are some of the funds supported by the creative and philanthropic spirit of our employees.
Project Shine
In 2012, more than 700 of Marshfield Clinic's employees joined together to raise over $201,000 to support our mission. Gifts to Project Shine benefited angel funds; heart, lung, and blood research; pediatric needs; grant funding for special projects system-wide; and a wide variety of other areas of the Clinic's mission that are important to Clinic employees.
Pink Days
Marshfield Clinic employees across the system offered overwhelming support for the October Pink Day Promotion, raising $4,176 for breast cancer prevention and care, just by wearing pink.
Departments in every region and nearly every center have participated by hosting a Pink Day. Participating employees were asked to make a $1 contribution. Departments pooled their contributions and selected a cancer care fund at Marshfield Clinic to support.
Rice Lake Dental Blue Days.
Blue Days for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention
Marshfield Clinic employees across the system offered overwhelming support for the "Dress in Blue Day," raising $1,658 for the Marshfield Child Advocacy Center.
Clinic employees dressed in blue on several days throughout the month of April 2012 to show their support for preventing child abuse and neglect. Departments from throughout the Clinic participated; employees were asked to make a $1 contribution. Employees also donated tie blankets, book bags and school supplies, which are given to each child that comes to the newly located Child Advocacy Center.