Dear friends,

December is a special time to pause and reflect on the year’s blessings — moments shared with friends and family, and the impact we’ve made together. It’s also a time to look forward with hope and purpose as we enter a new year. 

In this edition of Philanthropy in Action, we celebrate the generosity that fuels our mission. You’ll read about donor support for Desert Mission, Louise’s inspiring cancer journey and APS reaching an incredible milestone in giving. These stories remind us of the power of community and the difference we can make when we come together. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to HonorHealth Foundation. Wishing you and your loved ones peace, joy and health this holiday season. 

Best wishes,  

Jared A. Langkilde, MBA, CFRE
President & CEO

A legacy of compassion, strengthened by you

Follow the deep roots of HonorHealth in our community and you’ll find that our legacy of caring started more than 90 years ago with a small desert clinic. It was established to treat tuberculosis patients without the resources to secure hospital care. HonorHealth Desert Mission has evolved in many ways, but always committed to making healthcare and social services accessible to the most vulnerable members of our community.

On the heels of an inspiring Desert Mission Morning of Gold fundraising breakfast, our food bank has experienced an extraordinary surge in need. In what was already a record high of serving 300 households each day, the demand quickly climbed to 460 — almost overnight! In response, the Desert Mission team sprang into action, welcoming additional volunteers, securing extra food and assembling “overnight bags” for families still waiting in line after closing.

When Desert Mission put out the call, you – our generous donors – rose to the occasion. Through food donations, volunteer hours and desperately needed funding to help feed our growing lines, we witnessed the true strength and compassion of our neighbors. It was a profound reminder of how deeply people care for one another.

As demand remains high moving into the holidays, we continue to welcome ongoing support and volunteerism. We are truly grateful for your kindness, generosity and unwavering commitment to our incredible community. Together, we are making sure no family faces hunger alone!

Support Desert Mission

Patient’s rare skin cancer is now undetectable following clinical trial infusions

One day in 2021, Louise, a retired office manager and medical assistant who lives in a rural agricultural community near Yuma, Arizona, was moving a container of nickels when the heavy coins fell from a shelf and landed on both of her big toes.

While her left big toe healed, the right one did not and a medical examination revealed melanoma under the toenail. Doctors amputated the toe in an attempt to keep the cancer from spreading. They cautioned her to monitor her foot to see if any lesions returned.

Three years later, Louise started finding lesions on her arms, back and abdomen. She visited several doctors in the Yuma area but found none who specialized in melanoma. She was referred to clinics in Phoenix where she underwent conventional cancer therapy without success.

Louise was then referred to Justin Moser, MD, an associate clinical investigator in HonorHealth Research Institute’s Cancer Research Division and Associate Research Professor at Arizona State University’s new John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering. Dr. Moser specializes in rare cancers that start in pigment.

Diagnosed with rare skin cancer

Louise was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma, ALM, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer that often develops in areas of the body not usually protected by sunscreen. Unlike the more common cutaneous melanoma, ALM is not believed to be caused by sun exposure. It occurs when cells that produce skin pigment grow out of control and form tumors. It often starts as an unevenly pigmented brown or black spot on the palms, soles of the feet, fingers, toes or, as in Louise’s case, under the nails.

Starting in March 2025, Louise was given nine infusions of a clinical trial drug. Over four months of treatment, all of Louise’s lesions disappeared, except one on her abdomen that was surgically removed.

Tests show no detectable cancer

Louise, 71, whose life was put on hold because of the disease, is being monitored with periodic blood tests and says she feels relieved now that she has no detectable cancer.

 “It’s been just great,” she said of her recovery, noting the quality care she received from Dr. Moser and the HonorHealth Research Institute staff. “Every day that we’re still here with our family, we’re thankful.”

Louise, an avid lifelong rockhound, is looking forward to traveling soon with her husband, Tony, and is anxious to again find stones that the couple might turn into jewelry.

“I’m looking forward to making some trips to places we haven’t seen, and visiting our kids who live out of state,” she said.

APS reaches inspiring $1,000,000 lifetime giving milestone

HonorHealth Foundation recently had the opportunity to celebrate with Arizona Public Services (APS), as they reached an incredible $1,000,000 lifetime giving milestone. With a partnership dating back to 1966, APS is a shining example of how instrumental corporate and community partners are in making a real difference.

Employees of APS marked the occasion by volunteering at Desert Mission Food Bank. The team spent two hours bagging and sorting fresh produce to be distributed to hungry families — a testament to their dedication to helping those in need and making Arizona a better place.

“APS has been an extraordinary HonorHealth partner for six decades and reaching a $1,000,000 lifetime giving milestone reflects their unwavering commitment to our community,” says Jared Langkilde, President and CEO of HonorHealth Foundation. “That generosity fuels programs like Desert Mission, delivering essential resources and compassionate care to those who need it most,” he adds. “We are deeply grateful for APS’s leadership and dedication to improving lives.”

Give milk, get a cow!

HonorHealth Foundation and the Dairy Council of Arizona have teamed up for the third annual Adopt-a-Cow milk drive, benefiting HonorHealth Desert Mission Food Bank. Make a milk drive donation and 100 percent of the funds will go to Desert Mission Food Bank for milk to distribute to families in need in the community.

Milk drive bonus: If you make a milk drive gift of $25 or more, you'll receive a cow plush toy!

Quantity is limited, so give today!

Register for the 2026 Honor Ball

Honor Ball registration is now open. The 2026 Honor Ball will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort. Join us for a magnificent black-tie affair inspired by The Great Gatsby.

The 49th annual Honor Ball will benefit the HonorHealth Innovation Endowment, providing vital support to enhance quality of care while driving progress at the forefront of medical advancement.

Learn more and purchase tickets or sponsorships today!

The best lawn party in town is back in 2026!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 7, 2026, as you won't want to miss the best lawn party in town! Croquet for a Cure sells out every year, but you can secure your spot by purchasing a sponsorship (each includes at least two tickets)! Individual tickets go on sale January 5.

Join us in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other memory-related diseases as we Make Memories Matter.

Learn more and register today!

Save the Date for the 2026 HonorHealth Foundation Pro-Am!

Help make great care possible for patients and families in our community by planning to join us Friday, April 17, 2026, at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale.

This fabulous day of golf combines great play, great fun and a great cause.

Registration and sponsorship details coming soon!

HonorHealth Foundation achieves AHP High Performer status

HonorHealth Foundation has achieved High Performer status in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy’s 2025 Report on Giving, a recognition given this year to fewer than 50 organizations across the United States and Canada.

AHP High Performers are organizations whose performance is among the top 25 percent among all Report on Giving survey participants, and the Foundation was awarded High Performer status in the "Overall Revenue" category.

"It is gratifying to again achieve High Performer status," says Jared Langkilde, President and CEO of HonorHealth Foundation. "This recognition was made possible through the unwavering support and generosity of HonorHealth Foundation donors and the dedicated efforts of our gift officers and support staff."

The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy is an international association dedicated to developing the highest level of professionalism in health care philanthropy. More information about the AHP and the full list of organizations recognized as High Performers can be found at the AHP website: ahp.org/high-performers.

HonorHealth Foundation's goal is to follow best-practice standards of fundraising and philanthropy, and recognition by third-party organizations — including the AHP — helps demonstrate our commitment to this goal, and to providing our donors with full transparency as well as unparalleled service and attention. 

View the Foundation's awards and recognitions

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