My Pink Scarf: A Story of Love and Caring
After watching three women in her family fight cancer, Tara Lacher of North Dakota decided to knit pink scarves and donate them to cancer patients and survivors. In 2006, she established the non-profit organization, My Pink Scarf, to carry out this mission throughout the United States.
By coincidence, Tara's sister-in-law, Kim Hodny, is a member of the HMC Foundation Board of Directors. Volunteers and staff at Hays Medical Center eagerly adopted Tara's project. They knit or crochet scarves for cancer patients and survivors at the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute. Funding for the yarn comes through the Foundation and the HMC Community Support Fund.
Each pink scarf, and there are many shades, from dark to light, is a unique creation and is presented in a pink bag with a card signed by the volunteer knitter. Scarves are given to cancer patients as gestures of comfort and caring. The project has now expanded to include chemo caps for patients.
"People of all ages are hearing about the project and calling to offer their assistance" said an enthusiastic Jo Murphy, Director of Volunteer Services. "This is truly heartwarming. We even received a call from a group of church ladies from Stockton and Osborne who want to get involved."
"More than 190 women and men from 26 different communities in four states are participating," added Ruth Heffel, Executive Director of the Foundation, "including a 5th grade knitting class from the Lincoln Elementary School in Hays and faculty and staff from Fort Hays State University, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School and Hays High. Scarves arrive on almost on a daily basis."
If you wish to participate or donate to the project, please contact the HMC Foundation Office at (785) 623-2350 or the HMC Volunteers Office at (785) 623-5890.
Mrs. Kim Schmidtberger led a group to create crocheted or knitted scrafs and/or hats for cancer patients at Hays Medical Center.
Pictured with a few of the articles made where Juleen Stecklein, Clare Walters, Ruth Heffel, Gloria McCormick, Jackie Felt, Wanda Davis, Sharon Fu, Eva Mao, Gini Augustine, and Kim Schmidtberger. Many connected with this project became involved because their lives had been touched by someone who had had cancer. A few of the members were also cancer surviors and wanted to give back for the help they had received while in treatment.
Community Members Gain Skills to Perform CPR
February 21, 2009 -- The Hays Medical Center Foundation provided a grant to help fund the annual CPR Anytime Event at Hays Medical Center. During the course of one day, 130 community members received the American Heart Association's Friend and Family CPR course. With the help of funds provided from the Foundation, HMC provided personal inflatable CPR manikins ("Mini Anne") to course participants. Participants take the manikins home to continue their practice of this life-saving technique. An additional 60 CPR Infant Anytime kits were purchased by the grant to distribute to new parents through the Women's Center.
Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute "Leaves of Life" Tree
We're pleased to announce new artwork at the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute. The "Leaves of Life" wall sculpture consists of three massive tree trunks and a canopy of metal leaves that bear the names of cancer victims and survivors. The sculpture was installed in January on the walls of the Cancer Institute.
The institute's former tree mosaic, created by the late Gary Coulter, has been in disrepair since moisture seeped into the wood. Restorative measures proved ineffective, and the original sculpture could no longer be maintained. The engraved leaves on the former tree have been transferred to the new sculpture.
Hays artist James Mages designed and created the sculpture, which took a year to complete.
Mages carved the tree trunks out of red oak because he could stain the wood a golden color, which reflects the color of the leaves. He also had students at Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland cut thousands of various-sized leaves out of metal which were welded and formed a steel canopy over the wooden structures. The idea was to create a graceful appearance and give the sculpture a sense of depth.
Mages said he was happy with the finished sculpture, which has drawn praise from its viewers. But he added that the work was about cancer patients, not himself.
"I'm just a vessel to be used to commemorate these people," he said.
Funding for the project came from Hays Medical Center and the Lanita Smith memorial fund, through the HMC Foundation. Smith, who worked as a director of oncology services at HMC, passed away in the fall of 2007 following a bout with cancer. Her husband, Lance, had been looking for a way to give back.
For $250, family and friends can purchase one of the 300 available leaves to honor those who have survived cancer, or remember someone who has passed away. These donations help the Cancer Center provide care to cancer patients. For further information, please contact the HMC Foundation or the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.
Hays Medical Center Foundation Announces
Major Gifts to Mobile Mammography Campaign
January 15, 2009--The Mobile Mammography Campaign at the Hays Medical Center Foundation received a big boost at the end of 2008 with two major gifts. A gift of $150,000 was contributed by Senator Bob Dole and a grant of $100,000 was awarded from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan.
In 1983, Hays Medical Center established the first successfully operating mobile mammography unit in the United States. Today, HMC provides mammograms at hospital sites in Cheyenne, Edwards, Gove, Lane, Logan, Ness, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Sheridan and Wichita counties on a rotating schedule. It is the only remaining mobile mammography unit that serves the people in this region.
Nearly 3,000 women were screened through the service in 2007. Seven of these women, with no prior symptoms, were diagnosed with cancer. With more than 900,000 miles on the engine, the truck needs to be replaced and the film mammography equipment upgraded to digital equipment. The estimated replacement cost for the unit and equipment is $850,000.
"Senator Dole really liked the project because it helps so many women throughout western Kansas," said Ruth Heffel, executive director of the HMC Foundation. "He said he doesn't forget where he came from."
The Foundation had submitted a grant proposal to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in November.
"The Hansen Foundation has been a generous supporter of Hays Medical Center over the years" stated Heffel. "Because our Mobile Mammography unit provides an essential service to western Kansas, we thought the project truly reflected their mission."
The two gifts bring the fundraising total up to $670,000.
"The generosities of Senator Dole and the Hansen Foundation have made a wonderful impact on this special project" stated Heffel. "It is so important for women to have an annual screening and the mobile unit makes it possible for women in rural areas."
The HMC Foundation seeks private gifts that are vital in assisting Hays Medical Center purchase equipment and enhance programs for its patients. Those wishing to contribute to the Mobile Mammography Campaign can contact the Hays Medical Center Foundation, 2220 Canterbury Drive, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Hays Medical Center Announces Recent Changes 
October 27, 2008 -- Hays Medical Center honored local contributors today with the official naming of the Bickle/Eagle Health Complex. Don and Chris Bickle and Bob and Pat Schmidt, were on hand for the unveiling of the new building name, recognizing their generous contributions to HMC. Both families are well known in Kansas for their philanthropic endeavors.
"HMC is committed to offering quality healthcare and services to the people of our region. But, this would not be possible without the commitment of friends and strong supporter to Hays Medical Center," said John Jeter, President and CEO.
The Bickle/Eagle Health Complex houses the Center for Health Improvement, Outpatient and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Southwind Surgical and the Hays Orthopedic Institute. The building was opened in March of 2002.
In addition to the building naming, Dr. Jeter introduced the newest surgeon at Hays Medical Center, Dr. Kirk Potter. Dr. Potter, a western Kansas native, specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He completed medical school at the University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City.
"We continually work to bring in exceptional physicians to care for the people we serve," commented Jeter, "And we are very pleased to welcome Dr. Potter to our medical staff."
A special ribbon cutting was also held at Southwind Surgical recognizing a recent remodeling project. The renovation combined several spaces into an expanded clinic with an open format and more efficient workflow. There are now 6 exam rooms, 2 procedures rooms, a centralized nurse station and waiting room and offices.
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