June 28, 2002

Gifts take many forms: New fund-raising campaign launched

MGHers give to the hospital and its patients in many ways every day. From saving a child's life to providing comfort to a grieving family to giving a warm smile to a visitor, MGH staff and employees make a difference in the lives of the thousands of patients and visitors who come to the hospital. For many years, MGH employees and physicians also have expressed their interest in giving to the hospital in another way — by donating a monetary gift. Now, there is a special campaign through which employees and physicians can contribute to the hospital — the Kresge Challenge.

The Kresge Foundation, a prestigious funding organization based in Michigan, has pledged $2 million to the MGH. These funds will be granted if the hospital enlists a large number of contributions from employees and physicians. In support of this challenging goal, the hospital has launched the 2002 MGH Physician and Employee Campaign for the Kresge Challenge.

The goal of the challenge is to raise money to complete the first phase of construction of the new Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care at the MGH. The new center is being constructed adjacent to the former Charles Street Jail and will house the outpatient activities for MassGeneral Hospital for Children, the MGH Women's Health Program, the MGH Cancer Center, the cardiovascular program and the musculoskeletal program. Donations that employees give through the campaign may be directed to the Yawkey Center or another hospital program they choose.

"This is an exciting time for us at the MGH," says James J. Mongan, MD, president of the hospital. "With the construction of new outpatient clinical facilities, we can expand our ability to care for larger numbers of patients in convenient, modern surroundings designed for the best models of care and treatment. The Kresge Challenge will help move us closer to this important goal."

Brochures about the Kresge Challenge have been mailed to all staff and employees, and online giving information is available at www.mghgifts.org/employeecampaign. All participants in the Kresge Challenge will be listed in a future issue of Hotline, on the MGH website and in the hospital's annual donor report. They also will receive a pin and will be invited to a thank-you reception.