Dear friends,

The start of a new year brings with it fresh opportunities, new challenges and the promise of progress.

It also inspires us to look at how we build community, together. Many of you invest in the programs and initiatives of HonorHealth because of a patient experience, whether yours or that of a loved one. But for many of you, you’re investing in the health of those unknown.

You give kindness to strangers. You extend compassion, empathy and positive actions toward people you don't know personally. This kindness isn’t always just a gesture to make someone’s day a little brighter or easier, this is rolling out a vision to fill the gaps in healthcare that offer all of us health and well-being at an amplified level.

It’s a new Heart Care center, germ-zapping robots or a new memory care clinic with a multi-disciplinary approach. It’s toys for children in the hospital and nourishing food for vulnerable families struggling with today’s high prices.

Kindness to others often creates ripple effects, as both small and big gestures can inspire others to follow suit, ultimately building a healthier and more connected community. Whether it's a simple act, or a larger gesture, such as making a significant investment in technology or a clinical program ― each act has the power to change lives and transform our community... those strangers we haven’t met. Yet.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. I invite you to continue this journey with us to transform our community one heart, mind and body at a time.

With deep gratitude and renewed excitement,

Jared A. Langkilde, MBA, CFRE
President & CEO

Prayers answered and a life extended. A reflection for Heart Month

by Cathy McKee Olesen, HonorHealth Board Member, 1993 – 2003

It’s impossible for my husband Doug and me to take for granted the precious gift of life we’ve been given, a gift made possible by the incredible care we’ve received from HonorHealth.

This healthcare system has been the cornerstone of our well-being for decades, ever since I first served on the Board of Trustees for HonorHealth, representing Motorola in 1993. Over the years, HonorHealth has been there for us, guiding us through every health challenge, and today, we find ourselves looking back with immense gratitude for the life-saving care we’ve received.

Our appreciation is not just in words; we are making it tangible through our financial gifts. One is an immediate cash gift from our Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and the other is a planned gift, designating HonorHealth as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. We believe that by investing in the future of cardiovascular care, we are helping to ensure that others receive the same high level of treatment that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience.

For years, we have been patients of physicians affiliated with HonorHealth Heart Care. We’ve relied on this team to stay at the forefront of the latest treatments and surgical advancements. Every time, we’ve been impressed and never disappointed.

In April 2014, Doug underwent a life-changing surgery. At the age of 75, he had to have his defibrillator replaced — a challenging procedure that involved the delicate task of wire extraction. Doug had been an early adopter of the device, with his first implant in the early 1980s, and this replacement was no small feat. As I waited for the surgery to be completed, I prayed that we would be granted many more years together. Those prayers were answered, and Doug is still here with me, thanks to the expertise and care of HonorHealth’s Heart Care team. We are very grateful for all the staff including Drs. Riggio and Tyree.

Some might see our gifts as acts of generosity, but we see them as investments — investments in a healthcare system that has proven time and time again that it has the power to save lives. With Doug’s medical history, we want to ensure that the HonorHealth Heart Care Center remains state-of-the-art, ready to provide specialized care if we ever need it again. By supporting the continued advancement of cardiovascular care, we are helping to build a legacy of health for future generations.

We hope our story encourages others to consider investing in the future of cardiovascular care, just as we have. Together, we can ensure that this essential care is available for years to come, saving lives and offering hope to countless families. We hope other families’ prayers are answered, too.

Endless gratitude: A journey of care, love and loss

Kevin and Tracey met in 1996 and spent the next two decades raising children, living their best lives and enjoying quality time together.

Both had successful careers: Kevin was a 20-year Air Force veteran who transitioned to aerospace engineering at Honeywell, while Tracy worked as an international business and marketing consultant for Silicon Valley companies.

Their lives changed forever on March 11, 2015. That day, Tracy’s father entered hospice care after battling multiple myeloma for five years following a stem-cell transplant. At the same time, Kevin’s doctor delivered devastating news: Kevin had been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a life-threatening condition that required an urgent stem cell transplant. Without it, he was not expected to survive the year.

As partners in life, they made the decision to resign from their jobs within weeks, and Tracy became Kevin’s full-time caregiver.

They found their way to the Bone Marrow Transplant team (BMT) at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. Kevin was fortunate to find a donor match on the registry, and in July 2015, he underwent a successful stem cell transplant under the care of Dr. Adrienne Briggs. The transplant cured his MDS. Sadly, Kevin developed severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) just 45 days post-transplant, requiring a feeding tube and leaving him confined to a wheelchair.

For three years, Kevin received care from the BMT team, including Gail, Kate, Rochelle and countless nurses who “provided us with extraordinary support.”

Tracy reflects that over time, the care team became like family, sharing their struggles and even finding humor to lighten the moments. “In some ways, they knew us more deeply than many of our friends and walked with us through our most difficult days,” she says.

“The journey to HonorHealth Shea was a 45-mile drive from our home, and though we passed other hospitals on the way, I never doubted we were in the best hands,” Tracy says. “I felt profoundly grateful for the compassionate, expert care Kevin received from the team at Shea, knowing they were doing everything possible to support us through his complex and challenging illness.”

When the time came for Kevin to leave Shea and enter hospice care, the entire bone marrow team stopped to say goodbye, offering hugs and heartfelt words. Dr. Briggs sat with Tracy in the hallway, sharing her wish that the outcome could have been different. Despite the profound loss, Tracy never doubted the depth of their care or their genuine love for her and Kevin.

“To this day, I cannot fully express my gratitude for everything the team at HonorHealth Shea did for us. This experience left an indelible mark on my heart,” Tracy says. “Their dedication and kindness will forever remain in my heart. To honor Kevin’s memory I am working to create a philanthropic legacy at HonorHealth to ensure that others facing similar battles receive the same level of compassionate, world-class care.”

Toy Fund Drive unveils youngest donors

The Foundation's annual Toy Fund Drive provides plush toys to children receiving care at HonorHealth hospitals, helping them feel comforted and safe.

Three young donors ― Katie, Francesa and Caroline, all just eight years old ― recently donated the proceeds of their lemonade and bracelet stand to this very worthy cause.

This gift from these young philanthropists was not only thoughtful, but a testament to the power of the heart. Giving to others in need at any age builds a healthier community. We are so grateful for your support Katie, Francesa and Caroline! You put smiles on so many faces!

You too can support the Toy Fund drive!

Honored to Help employee campaign winner

We just finished our 2024 Honored to Help Employee Annual Giving Campaign, and it was a huge success.

Across the entire network of HonorHealth healthcare and administrative locations, nearly 4,000 HonorHealth team members participated in the 2024 campaign.

The team at HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center earned the trophy for highest employee participation, with more than 50 percent of their incredible caregivers and staff making donations to support the work they care so deeply about.

What an honor it is to work with such caring and committed team members. Congratulations!

Desert Mission Milk Drive extended!

Milk is one of the most important nutritional supplements for children, but the least donated, too.

Helping address this challenge, Desert Mission's 2nd annual Milk Drive has been extended through  "April Foods Day" (April 2).

Make your Milk Drive donation and help at-risk kids and their families, and as an added bonus you'll receive a plush cow (with a gift of $25 or more; details of how to get your plush cow are provided in your donation acknowledgement email).

Give now to this "moovelous" opportunity and make a difference in our community — 100 percent of your gift will go to Desert Mission Food Bank for milk to distribute to families in need!

Support the Desert Mission Milk Drive today!      

Join de tour and Tour de Scottsdale!

Ride your bike and raise money for a great cause!

The 2nd annual HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale is April 12, 2025. This fun fundraising activity offers challenging and scenic courses with routes of 32 miles or 62 miles.

Discounted registration for youth and military/first responders are available too — find out more and join Team HonorHealth Foundation!

 Learn more or register for the Tour de Scottsdale today!

Tax Credit Available through April 15

Donations to HonorHealth Desert Mission are eligible for the Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization Tax Credit.

For your 2024 tax return, donate $470 (filing individually) or $938 (filing jointly) and you can receive your gift back as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona State taxes!

Every dollar of your gift will go to Desert Mission programs including the Food Bank, Lincoln Learning Center and Adult Day Health Care.

Make an Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donation supporting Desert Mission today!