A New Era for Health Care, Because of You | | | |
Last weekend, our John Muir Health community came together to celebrate the most successful capital campaign in the history of Contra Costa County. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, the campaign has broken records: raising $137.9 million for the future of cancer care in the East Bay!
Throughout the evening, we were reminded of the extraordinary generosity that fuels our mission. Margaret Simor, our Board Chair, and Mike Thomas, John Muir Health’s President and CEO, shared heartfelt reflections on what this community has made possible.
We listened to moving stories about the life-changing impact of the Jean and Ken Hofmann Cancer Center in the 14 months since its opening in February 2024.
We reflected on our legacy of care, and how it has profoundly shaped our community. And we felt tremendous hope for our future.
Because of this, lives are being saved, families are finding strength, and local cancer care is forever changed.
As we marked National Doctors' Day last week and look forward to honoring our health care heroes during National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week, we know that the work of our caregivers will touch more lives than ever.
Thank you for being part of this moment, and for believing in our mission.
| | P.S. One of the most powerful moments of the evening was watching videos that brought this campaign’s impact to life. Watch them now! | | John Muir Health patient Marsha S. rings the end-of-treatment bell with her care team, including her gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Babak Edraki, and her oncology and infusion nurse, Lauren Rodriguez. | |
The Impact We Make Together
From day one, the Campaign to Conquer Cancer has been about more than reaching a fundraising goal—it’s been about keeping a promise. A promise to deliver world-class cancer care, close to home, for the people who need it most. That promise is now a reality.
The UCSF–John Muir Health Jean and Ken Hofmann Cancer Center opened last year and is already changing lives. Every day, it’s providing advanced, compassionate care for our neighbors right here in our community.
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Thanks to our donors, these patients no longer need to travel far for comprehensive, compassionate, world-class cancer care. They can find it close to home at John Muir Health.
At the Behring Pavilion, patients now benefit from integrated, state-of-the-art care under one roof. It was thoughtfully designed to provide not just medical excellence, but also healing and tranquility—ensuring patients receive the highest-quality care surrounded by the comfort of family and friends.
This transformational care is happening because of our community. Their generosity has made a lasting difference in the lives of so many, and we are beyond grateful for the support. Thank you for standing with us in the fight against cancer!
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A Dream Come True
Melanie James has dedicated 18 years to caring for patients at John Muir Health’s Concord Medical Center, serving as a Magnet Ambassador for the past nine years.
Thanks to the generosity of donors who support the Nursing Education Fund, one of Melanie’s dreams came true: she was chosen to attend the 2024 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Conference alongside nearly 14,000 nurses from across the country.
"It was empowering to be surrounded by professionals who share the same passion for patient care and nursing excellence," Melanie said.
She left the event with new knowledge on innovative patient care models, leadership development, and the latest research in cardiovascular nursing.
"I am incredibly grateful to the donors who invest in nurses like me," Melanie added. "I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to benefit our patients, my colleagues, and the entire John Muir Health community."
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The Gift of a Second Chance
Larry Frederick’s life changed forever when he learned he had a rare and complex type of brain cancer. Thankfully, Larry, his family, and his team of caregivers at John Muir Health never lost hope.
Larry was a candidate for an innovative, minimally invasive surgery to remove the tumor through his nasal passage—a safer procedure with a shorter, more comfortable recovery. After just a few days in the hospital, Larry was home with his family, healing faster than he ever imagined possible.
“John Muir Health is a very caring place. The nurses were responsive and took good care of me,” Larry recalled.
Thanks to donor support, we can invest in groundbreaking treatments and technology that give patients like Larry the second chance they deserve.
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The Time to Half Your DAF
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to give back, and to create a legacy. Here’s how to give from your DAF:
- Decide which causes and organizations you want to support
- Contact your DAF sponsor to make a gift
- Disperse gifts to individual charities directly from your DAF
If you already have a DAF, you can grant half your balance to John Muir Health Foundation today to make an even greater impact!
As part of the #HalfMyDAF movement, your grant will be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $5,000 on June 27, 2025, and again on September 26, 2025.
Your donation can directly impact John Muir Health patients and their loved ones by helping us continue to provide exceptional care and life-changing programs for generations to come.
| | Maddie and her mother, Dr. Michelle Gerrard (on the left). Maddie, second from right, and her family (on the right). | |
A Decade of Hope: Maddie's Story
Ten years ago, 11-year-old Maddie’s life changed overnight when she experienced uncontrollable seizures and was rushed to John Muir Health's Walnut Creek Medical Center. Diagnosed with a brain tumor, Maddie’s family faced a terrifying reality.
Thanks to the exceptional care provided by the newly opened Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Maddie’s surgery was successful—with her neurosurgeon thoughtfully braiding her hair before surgery to minimize the shaved area and help her feel like herself again—and just ten days later, she was dancing at her aunt’s wedding.
Her mother, Dr. Michelle Gerrard—now a John Muir Health anesthesiologist—recalls how the PICU team’s compassion made all the difference. “We felt seen, heard, and cared for every step of the way,” she said.
Today, Maddie is thriving as a junior at the University of Nevada, Reno, studying political science. Her family remains grateful for the expert care they received so close to home. “It’s mind-boggling to think about how far she’s come,” says Dr. Gerrard. “That team gave us hope during our scariest moments.”
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PICU, we honor the dedicated caregivers who continue to make lifesaving care possible—and the courageous patients like Maddie who inspire us all.
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Your gift helps further the mission of John Muir Health by providing vital funds
for patient services, facilities, medical equipment, clinical research, education programs, and health care access for those with the greatest need. You can help ensure our tradition of high-quality, compassionate care—now and for generations to come.
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