Thanks for helping build cancer unit

As chair of Elgin's Provena Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation Board, I would like to thank the generous donors who made our recent $6.8 million plus fundraising campaign to build the Bob and Edna Meadows Regional Cancer Care Center a success.

As the campaign progressed, state-of-the-art technology equipment was purchased and put into use, allowing cancer patients to be treated with the newest equipment on the market as well as being treated with the compassionate and outstanding care that the doctors and health care professionals at Provena Saint Joseph Hospital are well known for providing.

Nearly 14 years ago, a friend of mine and I were both diagnosed with cancer. Today, we are both healthy and active because of the care provided by St. Joseph Hospital.

Since then, the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart wisely joined forces with the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas to become Provena Health Systems.

This broadened the opportunities to grow local hospitals into a network of top health care professionals.

The result has been upgraded facilities, recruitment of outstanding employees, and the addition of leading edge technology in all areas.

This fall, HealthGrades, a leading health care ratings company, ranked Provena St. Joseph Hospital in the upper 10 percent of cardiac care and treatment of stroke based on a national study. It is the only local hospital and one of five hospitals in Illinois to receive this top rating.

Donors to the Bob and Edna Meadows Regional Cancer Care Center donors gave from their hearts, and the foundation board thanks them.

Every dollar collected has resulted in construction that is attached to the main hospital building. The new Cancer Care Center is due to open in 2008.

Although I cannot name each individual contributor in this letter, the foundation board and I are grateful to each and every one of you.

We would like to thank the Provena Saint Joseph Hospital Auxiliary who worked hard to present wonderful and enjoyable functions which raised $1 million. Hospital employees are to be congratulated for giving over a quarter of a million dollars on their own.

We are truly blessed to live in a community that supports the wonderful work of Provena St. Joseph Hospital.

Dorothy Wiese, chair

2006-07 Provena

St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Board

Elgin