Doernbecher Children's Hospital's drive to renovate its pediatric Emergency Department received a major boost on Sat., Oct. 20, at the 10th Annual Heart of Doernbecher Dinner and Auction. Donations from bidding in live and silent auctions, a special appeal, and other sources raised a net total of $760,000 to enhance the staffing, equipment and overall environment of this vital facility.
The generosity of event sponsors, vendors and table hosts help contain the auction's expenses to only 13.5 percent of total proceeds, making the gala evening even more beneficial to Doernbecher.
More than 400 Doernbecher supporters turned out at the Portland Art Museum for what has become one of the premier social and fund-raising events on Portland's philanthropic calendar. The evening's two hottest items - a party at the home of Junki and Linda Yoshida, and a special polo event at Hidden Creek Polo Club offered by Sean and Gretchen Keys - each attracted high bids of $17,000. Other popular items on the auction block included vacation packages, a selection of fine wines, and an array of art and fine collectibles.
Aiding the fund-raising effort was a generous challenge pledge from the Donald C. and Elizabeth M. Dickinson Foundation matching all donations up to $250,000 during the evening's special appeal. This year's auction chairs were Christine Dickinson, Cheryl Joshi and Rebecca Dickinson Welch. Yoshida Group was the presenting sponsor. Honorary chairs were Allyn and Cheryl Ford and H. Stacy Nicholson, M.D., M.P.H. Through the Ford Family Foundation and their individual efforts, the Fords have been longtime advocates for Doernbecher. Dr. Nicholson is physician-in-chief and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Doernbecher. Both he and Allyn Ford also serve on the Doernbecher Children's Hospital board of directors.
Sue Nicol, executive director of the Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation, said the auction will help transform the hospital's already first-class Emergency Department into a regional showplace for pediatric emergency care. "A trip to the emergency room is by nature a stressful experience for patients and their families," Nicol said, "But Doernbecher's renovated Emergency Department will provide several regionally exclusive services to families at their most vulnerable. It will maintain a 24/7 staff of board-certified pediatric physicians and nurses with access to state-of-the-art equipment. It will also be completely separated from OHSU's adult emergency medical care facility, creating a calm healing environment focused on the needs of kids and families."
One of only two Level I trauma centers in Oregon and Southwest Washington, Doernbecher's Emergency Department serves thousands of patients and their families each year, routinely accepting complex cases referred from other hospitals across the region.
"This wonderful auction will help Doernbecher provide the families of our region with the best possible environment for healing. We are so grateful to everyone who participated, especially the Dickinson Foundation for its generous matching gift," Nicol said.
The Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to secure private philanthropic support for Doernbecher Children's Hospital. The foundation raises funds from individuals, companies, foundations and organizations, and invests and manages gifts.