Hope to Health in Bloom
“Hope to Health saved my life,” a founding member of the women’s giving circle told the group, which had gathered at the home of Los Altos Hills resident Judy Anderson on June 10.
Because she had learned about the hard-to-recognize signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer during a Hope to Health program, she had the confidence to advocate for herself and received the rare, timely diagnosis. The treatment that followed gave her almost four years she otherwise would not have had. Members were shocked and heartbroken to learn she succumbed to the disease just a few weeks after she shared her experience.
Her story encapsulates the power and impact of the philanthropic committee, whose members have been supporting each other, learning about women’s health issues, pooling their annual dues, and making grants to programs that benefit women and families at El Camino Health since 2006. “The thought of putting my money together with others and making the decision on which program to support felt more impactful than simply writing a check,” Hope to Health Chair Lynn Telford shared as she recalled why she joined the group at its inception.
To date, Hope to Health has granted nearly $750,000 to services across El Camino Health. The members are especially proud of providing the seed money that launched ASPIRE, the health system’s intensive outpatient youth and young adult mental health program, and MOMS, the intensive outpatient mental health program for perinatal women. The members will vote on grant proposals presented by clinical managers and vote to allocate the dues they contributed in 2023 and 2024 this summer.
All agreed that the more members the greater Hope to Health’s impact and new members are always welcome. The first event of the new season is being planned for October, breast cancer awareness month. It will be fun, social and educational. Join Hope to Health or contact Annual Giving Officer Katie Kehriotis to learn more.
