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Published on 12/01/1999 All articles from this issue

El Camino Hospital Foundation funds research, provides patient extras

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By Leslie K. Martin / Town Crier Staff Writer

Joan Rosselle, executive director of the El Camino Hospital Foundation, believes in the philosophy of philanthropy. About her commitment to, and belief in, her work at the foundation, Rosselle said, "When people are giving ... whether of their time or money, I think that's what makes the world go around peacefully."

The foundation mission, as stated in the foundation's brochure, is to support the hospital district "in creating healthier community through education, communication, philanthropy, volunteerism, and partnerships."

That mission statement is realized with money raised primarily from local residents through donations of cash, planned gifts, pooled income and stock.

The foundation received a total of $1,653,000 in donations during the 1999 fiscal year, and raised over $100,000 to benefit the Older Adult Resource Center at the hospital's annual golf tournament earlier this year.

The hospital continuously battles escalating health care costs. "This hospital is a gem," Rosselle said, and philanthropic dollars help "keep the wonderful, special hospital that we've known it to be."

Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills residents comprise at least one-third of the foundation board of governors. Their commitment, Rosselle said, "is from the bottom of their toes. They truly act from love and wanting the hospital to survive in the community and be here forever. They're willing to put their money and their work into seeing that happen."

Foundation dollars often provide El Camino Hospital patients with extras they might not get elsewhere.

After enduring many four-hour dialysis sessions, one patient donated seed money that eventually enabled the foundation to provide television sets for dialysis patients to watch during treatments. And anxious fathers experienced many sleepless nights in the neonatal intensive care unit until the foundation bought special sleep chairs.

Programs receiving foundation funding include cancer, leukemia, carotid stenting research and breast biopsy equipment. Outreach programs, including the Older Adult Resource Center, Outreach Medical Services and the School-Child Health Program, are also beneficiaries.

"We're particularly proud of the breast biopsy equipment purchase," Rosselle said. "I myself went through cancer this year, and it would have been wonderful to have had that equipment then."

The foundation recently announced the availability of scholarships for allied health professionals for the academic year 2000-2001.

To find out more about the Foundation, or to request a scholarship application, call 940-7154. Application deadline is Jan. 31, 2000.