Foundation Funded Projects and Programs
Carol Jo Vecchie Cancer Patient Assistance Fund
Established in 1998, the Carol Jo Vecchie Cancer Patient Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to patients of Memorial's Regional Cancer Center who are eligible for Medicaid or who qualify for Memorial Medical Center's charitable care program. Applications for assistance may be completed by the patient, a member of the patient's family (on behalf of the patient) or a Memorial staff member (on behalf of the patient).
Download the application
Cancer Patient Financial Assistance Application
Sharing Wishes Fund
As hospice patients reflect on their life’s journey, they often have wishes they hope to fulfill in the time they have left. Established in 2011, The Sharing Wishes Fund was established to provide a means of helping hospice patients fulfill a desired activity, such as seeing a loved one who lives far away or taking a small trip they never made the time for. Our annual Hospice Gala is the primary fundraiser for the Sharing Wishes Fund.
Derek Dolenc Cancer Patient Assistance Fund
The Derek Dolenc Cancer Patient Assistance Fund was established in memory of Derek Dolenc who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 31. The fund provides assistance to patients of Memorial's Regional Cancer Center who have exhausted their insurance benefits or who have no insurance.
Independence Square
Located within Memorial Medical Center, Independence Square is part of Memorial's Center for Neuromuscular Sciences. This unique rehabilitation center provides comprehensive, integrated care for patients with spinal cord and head injuries, strokes, joint replacements, and other disabling conditions. The therapy settings are connected by a main street, helping to create a self-contained treatment environment.
Independence Square presents familiar obstacles for the patient, but in a safe environment: curbs, concrete sidewalks and stairs. This unique approach to rehabilitation offers physical, occupational and speech therapists an unprecedented opportunity to use the full range of their skills in helping patients regain independent lifestyles.
Nursing Excellence Fund
The Nursing Excellence Fund was established in 2002 through a partnership with the Memorial Medical Center Foundation. Supported by a variety of philanthropic activities, the Fund underwrites professional development initiatives for our nursing staff and provides resources to strengthen nursing practice and research. The Nursing Excellence Fund helps put Memorial at the forefront in regional initiatives for the nursing profession. Currently funded programs cover a broad range of recruitment, advancement and work redesign efforts and include the following:
- "Teens Experiencing Nursing" (T.E.N.) Summer Camps
- Nursing Certification Exam Fees and Review Courses/Materials
- Online Continuing Education Modules
- Attendance at Regional and National Nursing Conferences
- Annual "Council Accomplishments Celebration"
- Ergonomic Lifting/Transferring Devices
- Vocera - hands-free voice-activated communicators for Nursing Staff
- Family Communication Technology
Teens Experiencing Nursing Program
Participants in the T.E.N. Program use the Southern Illinois School of Medicine Surgical Skills Laboratory to experience some of the skills practiced by surgeons in laparoscopy procedures.
Transplant Patient Assistance Fund
Memorial's annual 5K Transplant Run/Walk raises money for the Transplant Patient Assistance Fund. The fund assists patients and donors with the costs of medication, transportation and other needs. Since its inception in 1972, the transplant program has performed over 700 kidney and combined kidney/pancreas transplants.
VisionWorks
Memorial's VisionWorks is a comprehensive, low vision rehabilitation program that began in 2008 thanks to a grant from the Memorial Medical Center Foundation and the King's Daughters Organization. The program's goal is to enhance the use of functional vision in order to maximize independent living abilities, safety and quality of life of persons who incur vision loss.
VisionWorks provides resources for those suffering from a variety of low-vision conditions, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, stroke-related vision loss and others. The program uses low vision technology equipment for comprehensive evaluation, treatment, education and training for visually impaired adults.
Wayfinding Project
Not being able to find your way around a medical center when you are ill or visiting someone only adds stress to the situation. Memorial's Festival of Trees helped fund a project called Wayfinding, which visually assists patients and visitors in locating different areas within Memorial's campus. Each floor displays visual "landmarks" that orient visitors and make it easier for employees and volunteers to offer directions. The goal of the Wayfinding project is to help create a great patient experience.