University Hospitals announces historic $2 billion fundraising campaign

Media Contact:

Ansley (Gogol) Kelm

Phone: (678) 313-6525

Email: Ansley.Gogol@uhhospitals.org

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals (UH) in Cleveland, Ohio announced today a $2 billion fundraising effort to advance its mission. Because of You: The Campaign for University Hospitals, led by campaign co-chairs Dee Haslam and Shelly Adelman, has received more than $1.18 billion in support to date – nearly 60 percent of its goal.

“Caring for our patients is a privilege and responsibility we at UH take seriously,” said John G. Morikis, Chairman, UH Board of Directors and Chairman and CEO, Sherwin-Williams Co. Morikis and the UH Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the public launch of the Because of You campaign at a September 21 board meeting.

“Our mission was born out of a deep and abiding commitment to serve. UH is here because of you – the people, families and neighbors that make up this community,” said Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, University Hospitals CEO and Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair. “Through this campaign, we will strengthen and invest in our programs and our people; revolutionize health care and the world of medicine; and partner with our communities to build healthier tomorrows.”

The most ambitious campaign in UH’s 157-year history, Because of You will advance the care of patients throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond, with particular focus on:

-          Caring for our children – investing in nationally ranked UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s to best serve kids and families;

-          Transforming cancer care - driving advancements in personalized care at UH Seidman Cancer Center;

-          Leading discovery and innovation - fueling UH bench to bedside research and innovation, and accelerating promising discoveries into medicines through the global power of Harrington Discovery Institute;

-          Serving our community - ensuring everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health; and

-          Embracing emerging priorities - meeting needs as they arise and investing in UH spaces and facilities, particularly as UH Cleveland Medical Center approaches its 100^th anniversary.

Last Thursday, 200 dedicated UH supporters gathered at the home of Dee and Jimmy Haslam to celebrate the campaign launch. There, Dr. Megerian applauded early champions of the Because of You campaign, including those who fueled the tremendous Phase 2 expansion of UH Ahuja Medical Center and advanced other UH priorities. He also recognized the transformational donors who have helped build the foundation and culture of giving at UH that persists today.

“Philanthropy is one of the purest demonstrations of trust in a nonprofit mission and, at UH, we see that the challenges of recent years have only strengthened faith and support of the health of patients across our region,” said campaign co-chair Dee Haslam. “For generations, this remarkable community has stepped up to help UH meet its most pressing needs and that continues today. The Because of You campaign is a tribute and promise to those we serve and, already, the momentum behind it is breathtaking.”

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