Agnesian HealthCare Foundation Charity Open Plans Traditional Return
19 July 2021 News
The 2021 Agnesian HealthCare Foundation Charity Open, scheduled for Monday, August 16, is feeling a little more familiar as plans are underway for a traditional event, following a virtual event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to incredible community support, the 2020 virtual event surpassed its fund-raising goal to assist patients facing end of life with invaluable hospice care, regardless of their ability to pay.
One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has not changed is the need for hospice care within the greater Fond du Lac area. An average of 210 patients are receiving hospice care, with over 30% receiving financial assistance. The average cost of hospice care in a patient’s home is $130 per day, with $300 per day average at the Hospice Home of Hope.
This year’s Charity Open, now in its 33rd year, will feature golfing and dinner with silent and live auctions. The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation will work with local health officials and follow CDC recommendations for safe gathering procedures. Due to the national shortage in vehicle inventory, the Charity Open will not conducts its annual raffle, which features a grand prize vehicle, but hopes to return to in future years.
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation Charity Open is being led by senior chairpersons, Dr. Punit Kumar, Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Nidhi Kumar, Director of Pathology, with community partners Thor and Mallory Gilbertson joining as junior chairpersons. Thor Gilbertson also serves as current chairman of the St. Agnes Hospital Board of Directors. (The Kumars are pictured above)
“The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation Charity Open sets large goals and this year is no different,” according to Thor Gilbertson. “Agnesian HealthCare Hospice Hope services are vital to this community, and we are proud to be part of an event that directly supports the hospice mission.”
Last year, the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation provided over $390,000 to support hospice patient care, according to Shawn Fisher, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation executive director.
“We truly appreciate how our community steps up to help individuals and their families with limited financial resources receive quality, compassionate end-of-life care,” Fisher says. “It is very humbling to see firsthand how this generosity helps so many during difficult and trying times.”
Continued financial support is essential to help patients who are facing end of life. The mission of hospice is to affirm life and view dying as a natural process. Hospice is designed to help patients live the remainder of their lives as fully as possible.
“We’re looking forward to joining this incredible fund-raising event and helping to achieve extraordinary goals,” says Dr. Nidhi Kumar. “We look forward to welcoming returning supporters to help with our endeavors, as well as new individuals who are learning about this important cause.”
For more information on this year’s Charity Open, visit agnesian.com/charityopen or call the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation at (920) 926-4998.
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