April 2026
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Spring is a season of renewal — when small beginnings take root and grow into something with lasting impact. In this April edition of Philanthropy in Action, we are reminded that generosity works much the same way. Thoughtful acts, whether made collectively or individually, can blossom into profound moments of comfort, healing and hope for the people we serve at HonorHealth. You’ll read about a group of Foundation Trustees and their spouses who came together to support our HonorHealth K-9 Security Program, welcoming Max, a highly trained Belgian Malinois, into our care community. Their shared commitment has strengthened safety and connection at HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center and reflects the power of philanthropy grounded in purpose. This edition also highlights Melissa, a patient whose journey has been reshaped through donor generosity via Phil’s Fund, which assists pancreatic cancer patients at HonorHealth. Because of philanthropy, Melissa has participated in a clinical trial close to home — care that has improved her quality of life and renewed her sense of hope. Her story is a powerful example of how giving fuels innovation and opens doors for patients and families. Finally, we share how longtime donors Kathy and Terry Ozan are bringing comfort to HonorHealth NICU families through a deeply personal gift inspired by their daughter Emily’s experience as a NICU parent and author. By placing her children’s book into the hands of families during an overwhelming time, they demonstrate how compassion can make a lasting difference. As these stories show, philanthropy takes many forms, but its impact is always rooted in care for others. As our community comes into full bloom this spring, thank you for helping to make progress and healing possible at HonorHealth. Jared A. Langkilde, MBA, CFRE |
Dear friends,
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A new hero joins the HonorHealth family Thanks to visionary donors, Max is our newest companion in care! Thanks to visionary donor support, Max, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois, is the newest member of HonorHealth’s K-9 Security Program. What began in 2000 with just two dogs has grown into a trusted team of 23 highly trained K-9 partners serving eight hospitals — providing safety, comfort and connection for patients, families and staff. During a recent campus tour, three HonorHealth Foundation Trustees were inspired by the dedication they witnessed and felt called to act. Trustee Louise Zirretta shares, “Rex Porter, Tracey Hemstreet and I wanted to do something to demonstrate that we heard, saw and felt the commitment to HonorHealth excellence. When we learned that Four Peaks needed an additional K-9 officer, we each enlisted the support and enthusiasm of our spouses, and the result is Max, our ‘K-Pooch,’ and 18-month-old Belgian Malinois!” Thanks to their collective investment, Max is now on duty at HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center with his handler, Francisco — already bringing comfort, joy and an added layer of security. As Trustee Tracey Hemstreet notes, “We are pleased to support HonorHealth’s K-9 Program. With psychosocial support and security being the program’s top principal purpose, Max will be able to carry out his role by providing emotional and physical comfort to patients, staff as well as others, while keeping them safe.” HonorHealth’s K-9 Security Program is funded entirely through philanthropy, making donor support essential to training, care and deployment. The K-9s are carefully selected young dogs trained to respond only to foreign-language commands for added safety. Each team completes rigorous hospital-based testing and an intensive six-week academy led by instructor Robin Teed, followed by National Police Canine Association certification, the same standards used by police agencies. Ongoing weekly training ensures the K-9 teams remain prepared for real-world hospital environments. Trustee Rex Porter reflects, “My wife, Margie, and I couldn’t be more proud to support the HonorHealth K-9 program. When Tracey, Louise and I, as trustees, saw first-hand the needs of our HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center we knew we needed to act. It has been so gratifying for all six of us, trustees and spouses, to participate in the process of K-9 donation, selection and training. Robin Teed is a fantastic program manager and Max is now in the field working at Four Peaks. We’ve learned so much, including that a donation to HonorHealth Foundation doesn’t have to be huge to make a large and positive impact on the community. Margie and I are so grateful to the hardworking people at HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center and the Foundation. They’ve allowed us to join them on the journey of better healthcare outcomes for our community!” Learn more about the K-9 Security Program
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Steadfast in hope For Melissa, pictured above with her husband, daughter-in-law and son, life in Southern California was defined by sunshine, sports and time outdoors. A lifelong athlete and former college volleyball player, she was shaped by close family ties, strong friendships and a deep faith that grounded her positive outlook on life. That outlook was shaken when what appeared to be food poisoning progressed into severe, unexplained back pain. When bloodwork revealed concerning changes and her instincts told her something more was wrong, Melissa sought a second opinion. An ultrasound quickly led to an urgent referral to HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, where pancreatic cancer specialists Drs. Borazanci and Thosani confirmed the diagnosis: pancreatic cancer. Her first question to Dr. Borazanci was honest and heartfelt: “This all feels very terminal. Is there any hope for me?” His response reframed everything. He explained that much of what patients find online reflects outdated data, and that new research and clinical trials are opening doors that didn’t exist even a decade ago. Within days, Melissa was presented with treatment options through clinical trials — care that many patients must travel far to access, but that she found close to home at HonorHealth. Throughout treatment, the expertise and compassion of her care team have gone hand in hand. Along with advanced medical care, Melissa has felt deeply supported by every member of the team, who listen closely, celebrate progress and focus on quality of life through each phase of treatment. That reassurance has been just as meaningful to her family as it has been to her. Despite uncertainty, Melissa’s mindset remains rooted in gratitude. When friends ask how they can help, her answer is simple: “For steadfastness.” Each day begins with appreciation for what remains — time outdoors, meaningful conversations and moments fully present with the people she loves. Participating in a clinical trial has also given her a sense of purpose, as she carefully tracks her responses to treatment to help inform future care. Six months ago, the outlook felt devastating. Without treatment, life expectancy could have been measured in months. Today, Melissa’s tumor has shrunk by approximately 30 percent, and previously elevated tumor markers have returned to normal levels — results that once seemed unimaginable. Stories like Melissa’s are made possible through research, innovation and donor generosity. Her journey has also been supported by Phil’s Fund, which helps pancreatic cancer patients overcome financial barriers while pursuing advanced care and clinical trials at HonorHealth Research Institute. The fund assists with costs such as transportation, housing and daily living expenses, allowing patients and families to focus on healing and time together. Phil’s Fund was created in honor of Philip “Phil” Zeblisky, who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2014. Determined to fight for more time and better options, Phil participated in multiple clinical trials at HonorHealth and became a passionate advocate for other patients. After nearly four years with the disease, Phil passed away in 2018. To honor his legacy, his wife Kathy established Phil’s Fund so others wouldn’t have to face financial obstacles alone. For patients like Melissa, that support can be life changing. “When donors choose to invest in research and care, they truly change lives,” she says. “Because of clinical trials and the kindness of strangers, people like me are given hope — and more time with the people we love.” That gift of time, hope and possibility is truly priceless.
Waiting for Max: A story that brings comfort home Longtime HonorHealth donors help bring their daughter's children's book to NICU families When Emily Rosen’s son Max was born six weeks early, those first days of motherhood unfolded not at home, but in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Max spent 16 days in the NICU — a time Emily describes as emotionally overwhelming, filled with uncertainty and heartache, but also moments of deep connection. Each day, Emily read to her baby. In the midst of monitors, tubes and unfamiliar routines, reading became one of the few “normal” things she could do as a mom. It was also where the seed of an idea began. Years later, drawing from that deeply personal experience, Emily wrote Waiting for Max: A NICU Story, a children’s book told from the perspective of a big sister waiting for her baby brother to come home from the NICU. The story gently explains a complex experience in a way young children can understand, offering comfort, connection and reassurance at a time when families need it most. “For kids, this is a really confusing moment,” Emily shares. “They’re waiting, they have questions and they don’t always have the words. I wanted to create something that helps them feel less alone and gives families a way to start those conversations.” Emily’s parents, longtime HonorHealth donors Kathy and Terry Ozan, immediately recognized the power of the book. Both as parents and grandparents, they felt called to help bring Emily’s message directly to families who need it. A generous gift from the Ozans will allow Waiting for Max to be purchased in bulk and distributed free of charge to HonorHealth NICU families — placed directly into the hands of parents during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. “It may be the first or second day their baby is in the NICU,” Kathy explains. “They’re overwhelmed, and suddenly they’re given this book — not something they have to search for or think about. Just a small gift that helps.” For families with older children at home, the book becomes a bridge, helping siblings understand what’s happening and giving parents a way to talk about something that can feel impossible to explain. For parents, it’s a reminder that others have walked this road before them. Emily has already donated her book to more than 50 hospitals and charities nationwide, and hearing from families who say the story helped them has reaffirmed her purpose. “Even if it helps for a few minutes during a very long journey, that’s why I wrote it,” she says. For Kathy and Terry, seeing their daughter turn her personal experience into something that helps others has been profoundly meaningful. It also reflects what they believe philanthropy is all about: small, thoughtful acts of generosity that collectively make a lasting difference. Their hope now is that others will be inspired to join them. A gift of any size can help fund more books for NICU families at HonorHealth — offering comfort, understanding and hope at a time when it matters most. As Terry shares, “A small gift can put this book into the hands of several families. Together, that adds up to something truly special.”
Gifts of Stock: Investment gains fuel healthier futures Donating appreciated securities is an effective way to make a meaningful impact on patient care at HonorHealth while also receiving valuable tax benefits. For many donors, a gift of stock offers an excellent opportunity to support the mission of HonorHealth Foundation with little to no impact on day to day cash flow. When you donate publicly traded stock that has increased in value and you’ve held it for more than one year, you may be eligible for a charitable tax deduction equal to the full fair market value of the shares on the date of the gift. In many cases, you may also avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation. That means your contribution can potentially go further than if you sold the stock first and donated the proceeds. Share transfers are most often coordinated through a brokerage firm. Simply have your advisor contact us to coordinate an efficient transfer of your stock gift to HonorHealth Foundation. Through gifts of stock, your generosity supports high-quality, patient-centered care, advanced technology and community programs that improve health and well-being while offering a tax-efficient giving option. If you’re considering this type of donation or would like to learn more, please contact our team at Foundation@HonorHealth.com or call 480-587-5000.
Only two weeks left to claim your Arizona Charitable Tax Credit for the 2025 tax year! Donations to HonorHealth Desert Mission are eligible for the Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization Tax Credit! If making a gift for your 2025 tax return, donate up to $495 (if you file your taxes individually) or up to $987 (if you file your taxes jointly), and you can receive your gift back as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona state taxes. Your gift will support programs including the Desert Mission Food Bank, Adult Day Health Care and the Lincoln Learning Center. Support HonorHealth Desert Mission today!
Get your tickets for The Happiness Brunch presented by HonorHealth! Join the HonorHealth Women Physicians Leadership Council at The Happiness Brunch on Saturday, April 25, at the Arizona Biltmore. Attendees will hear from guest speaker Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale Professor of Psychology, host of The Happiness Lab podcast and one of today’s most influential teachers and communicators on the science of happiness and well-being. Learn more, secure a sponsorship or purchase your tickets today!
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