Lee Health Foundation celebrates 25 years of gratitude

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dec. 1, 2020 - PRLog -- Lee Health Foundation is celebrating 25 years of philanthropic support for lifesaving health and wellness care in Southwest Florida. Since 1995, the Foundation and its supporters have made it possible for Lee Health to serve its growing community with comprehensive medical resources close to home.

Millions of dollars have been raised to support Lee Health's programs and innovations that bring leading-edge healthcare services to the community, including providing life-saving care to under and uninsured community members. At the same time, philanthropy has supported Lee Health's efforts to enhance wellness and prevention programs to keep people healthy and out of the hospital. Philanthropy made programs possible that otherwise wouldn't exist, including Golisano Children's Hospital, the only children's hospital between Miami and Tampa. In addition to the building, programs funded by donors include Golisano's Child Life program, which isn't covered by insurance, but provides music therapy, schooling and technology to help children better understand and cope with medical treatment. The donor-supported Sharon MacDonald Breast Health Fund (and similar funds for other types of cancers) covers the cost of treatment for indigent breast cancer patients in need of lifesaving cancer care. This year, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation created a $200,000 challenge grant to establish a pediatric hematology and oncology infusion clinic at Golisano Children's Health Center in Naples, which will allow up to 30 children a week to receive chemotherapy treatments and see their Golisano Children's Hospital pediatric oncologist without needing to drive out of Collier County.

"We are so grateful for every person and donation that has supported Lee Health's ongoing mission to empower healthier lives through care and compassion," said Chris Simoneau, Lee Health's chief foundation and development officer. "It takes a lot of people giving all they can to improve and save lives. Since 1995, Lee Health Foundation has helped by raising awareness about the needs of our community and distributing the funds necessary to best serve and support our family, friends and neighbors in Southwest Florida. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Lee Health has expanded and enhanced care throughout our seven-county region."

Donors small and large, major league baseball teams, numerous area foundations, two area wine festivals and many innovative fundraisers have invested in meeting the growing and evolving health care needs of our region and bringing leading-edge medicine and medical procedures to the community. For a complete timeline of significant milestones in Lee Health Foundation's 25-year history, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/25years.

More: LeeHealthFoundation.org (http://www.leehealthfoundation.org/)