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Donation Opportunities

With the help of our donors, philanthropy assists KishHealth System in providing quality programs and services at Kishwaukee Community Hospital, Valley West Community Hospital, DeKalb County Hospice and KishHealth Center for Family Health. Donations enable us to bring to our area enhanced technology, services, and new programs that would not be possible without the help of philanthropy.

There are numerous opportunities for donors to be involved in enhancing the KishHealth Foundation (KHF) mission and helping us realize our vision. While unrestricted donations to KHF are encouraged, we recognize that most of our donors support us because they have a special place in their hearts for one or more of the entities we support. Specific giving opportunities are described below; please ask for further details for your area of interest.

Any donations may be made in memory or honor of friends or loved ones. Click on the links below to donate.

1. Unrestricted Funds: Unrestricted donations to KHF offer the most flexibility to meet the Health System’s needs today and into the future. Unrestricted gifts to KHF are welcome, or gifts to be used for Kishwaukee Community Hospital, Valley West Community Hospital, DeKalb County Hospice, or KishHealth Center for Family Health.
   
   
2. Endowment Fund: An endowment is a gift that is held in perpetuity. Endowment gifts provide a dependable, predictable source of funds for KHF and KishHealth System, and assure the availability of services today and many years into the future. The gift is invested and only a portion of its average annual investment return is used, often for purposes specified by the donor.
   
   
3. KishHealth System Cancer Services Funds:                                       
   • Unrestricted KishHealth System Cancer Fund - This fund supports programs and services where they are needed most throughout the Health System.
     
   • The Cancer Center at Kishwaukee Community Hospital Fund - Donations to this fund are restricted to the Cancer Center at Kish Hospital to be used where the need is greatest.
   • The Cancer Center at Valley West Community Hospital Fund - Donations to this fund are restricted to the Cancer Center at Valley West to be used where the need is greatest.
   • Oncology Support Programs Fund - Provides funding so patients and their families can participate in massage therapy, exercise programs, support programs, horticulture therapy, therapeutic music, and stress reduction classes.
     
   • Baack Charity Cancer Care Fund - Provides funding for indigent KishHealth System patients who cannot afford needed complimentary cancer medications to ease physical pain and the side effects of radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments, or medical supplies.
4. KishHealth Center for Family Health: The KishHealth Center for Family Health is collaboration among KishHealth System, Northern Illinois University and private donors to provide individuals and families affordable access to primary medical care. Care is available for infants, children and adults.
   
   
5. Friends for Life KCH 100: This fund is used to purchase healthcare equipment and technology on an annual basis for Kishwaukee Community Hospital. The fund may also be used to grow the Health Foundation’s unrestricted endowment fund.
   
   
6. Valley West Heart of the Hospital: This fund is used to purchase healthcare equipment and technology on an annual basis for Valley West Community Hospital. The funds may also be used to grow the Health Foundation’s unrestricted endowment fund.
   
   
7. DeKalb County Hospice: Annual donations are accepted for operating expenses, program needs, and therapy programs, such as Music Therapy, and Bereavement and Transitions programs. These programs provide many services including counseling, stress relief, support groups, special events, educational programs, case management, and supportive visits for Hospice patients, caregivers, families, and the general public.
   
   
8. Nursing Development Fund: This fund provides and ongoing mechanism to fund KishHealth System nurses pursuing opportunities to fulfill professional development goals.
   • KishHealth System Fund- Funds may be dispersed to any entity in the Health System. 
     
   • Pamela Lewis Valley West Fund - Funds will only be dispersed to Valley West Community Hospital.
9. Cardiac Rehabbers Support Group Fund: Donations to this fund provide grant money to qualified persons enrolled in, or to be enrolled in, Kishwaukee Community Hospital’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program.
   
   
10. Scholarship Funds: There are three scholarship funds donors may add to which will provide scholarships for area students pursuing medical careers. The funds are:
    • James J. Feeney MD Memorial Scholarship - established by Dr. Feeney’s widow and daughters to award an annual scholarship to a DeKalb County student enrolled in a college-level, pre-medical curriculum or enrolled or accepted as a full-time student in an accredited medical school curriculum.
      
    • Floann & Hallie Hamilton Diagnostic Imaging Scholarship - established by the Hamilton’s to award an annual scholarship to a DeKalb County student enrolled in a diagnostic imaging curriculum.
      
    • Kishwaukee Community Hospital Physician’s Scholarship Fund - established by Photine Liakos, MD, to award an annual scholarship to a DeKalb County student currently enrolled in medical school.

Over the years, philanthropic support has helped make KishHealth System what it is today. But the forecast for the future is daunting. Declining reimbursements and rising costs are making the healthcare environment more challenging than ever. And while KishHealth System is financially strong today, we must look to other avenues of funding if we are to continue to maintain and expand our mission. Philanthropy has played a major role in our past service, and we are confident it will play an even greater role in our future.