Memorial Medical Center Foundation

Calling all riders! The Tour of Long Beach is coming May 14. Save $5 for St. Patrick’s Day when you register by 3/18! This charity ride benefits pediatric cancer programs at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. Use coupon code TOLBFB2016. Click to register now: touroflongbeach.com

Thank you to everyone who supported Dancing for Our Stars benefiting the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute (TCI) at Long Beach Memorial. Congratulations to our own Dr. Nilesh Vora and his wife, Pinal, who took home the Champion’s Trophy at this year’s event. Dr. Vora’s win was the result of pre-show fundraising, dance scores, and total number of votes received during the evening. And a special thank-you to all of our dancers, who were all winners for TCI Paul Velasco, Debra Greco, Hilda Sanchez & David Rigby, and Cindy & Randy Allen. Stay tuned for updates and photos!

Things are getting serious! Our dancers are in their final (top secret!) rehearsals this week, perfecting their performances (and icing their aching muscles!) for their final show this Saturday night at Dancing for Our Stars. Even if you are not attending the gala, you can still vote for your favorite dancer and help support an amazing cause: a new Integrated Cancer Medicine Program at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial. Every dollar equals one vote! Voting ends Thursday at midnight, so click here to vote now: http://bit.ly/1PDBknI

The holidays were a time for making dreams come true especially when it came to The Bucket List Project. Patient Brandon (41), who is currently fighting cancer, had a wish of pitching a story to a Hollywood executive. As part of The Bucket List Project, he recently had the chance to share his idea with the creative team at a major studio. According to Brandon, the meeting was encouraging and motivating. THANK YOU to social worker Rose Oxford and Dr. Nilesh Vora, as well as all of our supporters, for making this program a reality. To learn more: http://bit.ly/1W5cfqF

Dancing for Our Stars is Jan. 23! Don’t miss the chance to support the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial! This year’s emcee, community activist and Long Beach advocate Justin Rudd, promises an exciting night. Guest judges include past Dancing for Our Stars alumni Natalie Barron (2015 Standing Ovation), Jeanna Mingram (2012 Crowd Favorite) and Jeff Severson (2013 Runner-Up), as well as Aaron Cash (2014 Judge on So You Think You Can Dance Australia). Tickets are still available! Visit http://bit.ly/1NxItWi to purchase yours now.

Support the arts! Did you know donor support helps fund art supplies and exhibitions for the Artful Healing Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach? In FY2015, more than 500 pediatric patients were empowered through self-expression, as led by our resident artist Denise Clayton-Leonard. There are now more than 1,500 pieces in the Miller Children's Kids Art Collection, much of which adorns the hallways of our hospital. THANK YOU for being part of the healing! Learn more: http://bit.ly/1PtLYl2

Bittersweet news from the Foundation team: Tom Poole, who has served as a gift officer for our hospitals for more than two decades, has announced his retirement. Tom has been a vital member of countless campaigns for both Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. Our team will not be the same without his guidance and leadership! Thank you, Tom, for all of your work, and congratulations on an esteemed career. We will miss you!

Did you know Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach recently welcomed a full-time dedicated psychologist to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to better support babies, their families and the NICU staff? Esther Chon, Ph.D., joined the team in July 2015 thanks to a grant from the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation. She specializes in infant mental health and attachment. THANK YOU for helping our babies, mothers and staff connect and heal! Learn more: http://bit.ly/1PtLYl2

Did you know you can now donate GIFT CARDS on our ONLINE GIVING PAGE to support Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach and Long Beach Memorial? Just visit lbmmcf.org/givenow to ensure that your unwanted gift cards do not go to waste this holiday! THANK YOU!

Did you know that tickets to Dancing for Our Stars are tax-deductible? What a great way to support the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute AND enjoy an unforgettable evening of dancing and FUN! Click to purchase your tickets NOW to ensure a 2015 tax deduction. http://bit.ly/1R6mOJh

Our FY2015 Donor Impact Report is now available! Check out all of the wonderful things your philanthropy has accomplished this year at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, Long Beach Memorial and Community Hospital Long Beach! THANK YOU for your support, and thank you for being part of the healing! Click to view it now: http://bit.ly/1XHjNVh

It’s a wonderful time of year! Thank you to students at Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, who took time to create colorful solar glow jars to brighten the days of our patients at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. Chadwick first-grader Opal and her family presented the jars on behalf of the 300+ K-6 students and faculty who helped to make them. Opal was born at Miller Children’s seven years ago, as of yesterday. Thank you for continuing to inspire us with your generosity of spirit this holiday!

THANK YOU to Jennifer Lewandowski of Dempsey’s Sports Bar & Grill for organizing another amazing toy drive for our patients at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach! Jennifer has also been a huge supporter of Team Spirit, working to fight breast and ovarian cancer for our adult patients. We’re doubly grateful for her continued support of our hospitals!