Saved From Extinction

This event ranked right up there with the disappearance of the Wooly Mammoth and the Saber Toothed Tiger at the end of the Ice Age. This time it was a program that helped people and it was on the verge of extinction in 2006. You will know it by the name McFall Cancer Fund.

The program was established by the McFall family in memory of Albert McFall who lost his life to this disease in 1983. The concept behind the program is that there are many expenses associated with the cancer treatment process that cause undue hardship on families.

Cancer patients who are going through the radiation treatments are often unable to work so their cash flow is very low. Those who have families have the added pressure of finding child care for their children and that is another expense. If you add the cost of gasoline and meals when entire days are used going through the radiation treatments in distant cities it compounds the problem. Sometimes cancer patients are too sick to make the trip home and have to find lodging until they are able to travel again. Health insurance does not cover these costs but the Albert McFall fund does cover them for the residents of Pratt County. Typically, this program is funded through designated McFall Fund memorial gifts, of which 100% go into the fund and 100% is disbursed to needy families.

The 2006 fund balance reached a low point of $500. When the average payout is around $100 that does not last long. So the Foundation started a public relations campaign for the McFall Fund to try to improve its bottom line.

The Foundation is grateful for the many families and mortuaries that have responded through memorial designations and outright gifts. The McFall Fund is healthy again. Memorial gifts in 2006 came from 14 donors, in the first quarter of 2008 the fund received $4,120 from 107 donors. It sounds like a lot but we never know how many families will need assistance at the same time so the balances need to be maintained. So thank you and keep up the good work!

. . . equipping PRMC to be “Simply the Best”

Foundation Adds New Board Members

The Pratt Health Foundation welcomes the addition of three new Board members. Randy Henderson, Lu Sherer and Bekki Pribil are joining the Foundation Board for a three year term. Randy Henderson is a friend of the Foundation and his family has been instrumental in the development of PRMC throughout its history. Lu Sherer was the Volunteer representative in 2006-07 and was asked to join the Board in 2008. Bekki Pribil, after completing three terms, is returning after a one-year hiatus. They will add depth and experience to the activities of the Foundation.

The new Board members will join Frank Laubhan (Chair), Jerry Larrison (Vice-Chair), Blake and Chris Himmelwright, Susan Schrepel, Betty Onstott and Keri Breeding. The officers include Susan Page (President), Ken Brown (Vice President), Gordon Stofer (Treasurer), and Nancy Bailey (Secretary).

2008 Spring Fund Drive

Every Spring the Foundation encourages people in south-central Kansas to consider a gift to help PRMC purchase medical equipment. The annual equipment needs of the hospital are usually in the $1 million range. This year the Foundation Board and friends of the Foundation are providing a dollar for dollar matching gift challenge up to $10,000. The direct mail appeal will be mailed in mid-April.

Dr. Dan Suiter’s 2007 matching gift of $5,000 helped raise over $40,000 in gifts for PRMC equipment. The Foundation appreciates the gracious gifts of its donors and their support for the work of PRMC. No operational costs are deducted from gifts.

A publication of the Pratt Health Foundation (PHF)
203 S. Main * Pratt, Kansas 67124
( PHF and PRMC are 501(c)3 charitable healthcare organizations.)