OUR GOAL Our goal is to build and sustain free housing that will support patients and their families in North Central Montana. For many years, there has been a great need in our community for patient housing while receiving outpatient treatment. A patient housing facility has become our top priority.

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EXCITING NEWS Read inspiring highlights below!

Surgery Partners donates $50k to Clinic campaign

We are pleased to announce Surgery Partners has contributed $50,000 to the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation's "Building Hope" Campaign for future patient housing. "We are so thankful for Surgery Partner's support of the Harold & Carmen Poulsen Legacy Housing project. Surgery Partners recognizes the value of patient housing in Central Montana and has acknowledged it with their generous gift," stated Executive Director, Samantha Shinaberger. Surgery Partners is a leading operator of surgical facilities and ancillary services with more than 180 locations nationwide. They provide exceptional integrated healthcare experiences between providers and patients.

Dr. Kelly Underhill pledges $36k to Clinic campaign

We are pleased to announce Dr. Kelly Underhill and husband, Paul Mousseau, have pledged $36,000 to the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation's "Building Hope" Campaign for future patient housing. " Dr. Underhill has been a passionate supporter of the Foundation's mission, including its capital campaign to build free patient housing. Her dedicated, ongoing support has shown her deep compassion and care for cancer patients across Montana," stated Executive Director, Samantha Shinaberger. Dr. Underhill has been a Radiation Oncologist at the Great Falls Clinic Cancer Care Department since 2016 and is committed to providing the best cancer care services to patients from all over Montana.

Dr. Karl Guter donates additional $20k to Clinic campaign

We are pleased to announce Dr. Karl Guter and Dr. Colleen Marron have donated an additional $20,000 to the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation's "Building Hope" Campaign for future patient housing. Bringing their total donation to-date to $45,000 to the Campaign. " Dr. Guter has been integral to the success of the Foundation's mission, including its capital campaign to build free patient housing. His continued support and insight has shown his commitment to exceptional care for cancer patients across Montana," stated Executive Director, Samantha Shinaberger. Dr. Guter has served on the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation board since its inception in 2015. Dr. Guter has been an oncologist/hematologist with the Great Falls Clinic Cancer Care Department since 1977 and is committed to providing the best cancer care services to patients from all over Montana.

Haley Denzer pledges $15k to Clinic campaign

We are pleased to announce Ms. Haley Denzer has pledged $15,000 to the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation's "Building Hope" Campaign for future patient housing. "Haley has been a voice for the Foundation's existence since its creation in 2015 and actively stays involved by volunteering whenever she can. Her support has shown her compassion and care for patients across Montana," stated Executive Director, Samantha Shinaberger. Ms. Haley Denzer is the Chief Administrative Officer at the Great Falls Clinic. Ms. Denzer joined the Clinic in 2008 and was appointed the Chief Administrative Officer in 2014.

BNSF Railway Foundation grants $10k to Clinic campaign

We are pleased to announce BNSF Railway Foundation has contributed $10,000 to the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation's "Building Hope" Campaign for future patient housing. Bringing their total donation to-date to $20,000 in support of the Campaign. "We couldn't be more thankful that the BNSF Railway Foundation chose to support the Harold & Carmen Poulsen Legacy Housing project out of the many grant proposals it receives each year. BNSF Railway Foundation has recognized the value of patient housing in Montana with their generous gift and support and we are forever grateful," stated Executive Director, Samantha Shinaberger. BNSF Railway's mission is to support and improve the general welfare and quality of life in communities served by BNSF. The BNSF Railway Foundation has supported and helped improve quality of life for thousands of communities across the 28 states through which they operate, and where BNSF employees live, work and volunteer.

Leaving a Legacy Gala Update

Thank you to all who supported the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation’s first annual Leaving a Legacy Gala on Thursday, October 24, 2019! The event was made possible with the support of our donors, sponsors, committee members, board members or volunteers- so we thank you all! We successfully raised over $200,000 at this year’s event and 100% of the proceeds from the evening’s event went to supporting the mission of the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation to build and sustain free patient housing. Your support of this event will directly impact patients and families in need during some of the toughest times in their lives. Your support directly helps cancer patients, children, family and fellow Montana rural neighbors, by reducing the financial burden and stress during their medical treatment, ultimately increasing the level of care and promoting overall health and wellness. Thank you all for joining us on this memorable evening and helping us leave a lasting legacy. If you have any questions or comments regarding the event, please contact us at 406-771-3107. We would love to hear from you. We hope you enjoyed the event with us. Samantha Shinaberger, Executive Director Ed Venetz, President TO VIEW THE EVENT GALLERY, CLICK ON THIS LINK OR ONE OF THE IMAGES TO THE RIGHT OF THIS TEXT. Thank you to BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, Dick Anderson Construction, Clinic Cancer Care and Great Falls Clinic for your Platinum Sponsorship!

TESTIMONIALS Read real-life stories about patients and families living in our Montana communities and how we can make a difference!

The Day I was Diagnosed by Beth Duke

January 24, 2000, is a day that changed not only my life, but that of my family, friends, and co-workers. This was the day I was told I had stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma. I decided that day that Cancer was not going to beat me. My children were 14 and 16 years old at the time. Having to tell them was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. When they asked if I was going to die, my response was, "I'm not planning on it." After many appointments to get baselines done and a treatment schedule organized for the next six months, life as I knew it was changed. Fortunately, we live only one mile from the Clinic. Had we not, I am not sure what we would have done, with our kids, home and jobs. With the cost of travel and overnight stays, plus having to pay a caregiver for the kids, or being alone while doing treatment while my husband stayed at home would have been devastating. My family was my rock. My husband sat through every treatment with me. Treatments ranged from three to five hours. As we are not from Great Falls originally, we had no immediate family in the area. Fortunately, we were blessed to have a great network of friends who helped with the kids, and provided meals for our family three times a week. While going through treatment, I was thankful that the trip home was quick and I could get settled. Having a place that is comfortable and quiet is needed for not only healing, but also provides a feeling of safety and security. I just had my 19 year check-up with Dr. Guter on July 29th. I am thankful every day that he came into my life. Without the Great Falls Clinic and Dr. Guter and his team, I truly believe I wouldn't be enjoying life today. Beth is the the broker/owner of Coldwell Banker, The Falls Real Estate located in Great Falls. She has been married to her husband Steve for 36 years and they have two grown children and three beautiful grandchildren. They have lived in Great Falls for over 31 years. Beth dedicates her time volunteering with the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation Leadership Cabinet and has been a member since early 2019.

Beth Duke, Cancer Survivor

Beth's family, or as she puts it, "the six reasons I didn't let cancer beat me!"

UPCOMING EVENTS Check out upcoming events below!

Stop by and visit our "Tree of Hope" this holiday season located at our building site at 3000 15th Avenue South, Great Falls. Thank you to Dick Anderson Construction, Cascade Electric and the Great Falls Clinic Maintenance Department for helping us make this a possibility for us.

CAMPAIGN CORNER Review updates on our current capital campaign efforts to build our patient housing facility here!

Current Campaign Status Update

The Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation "Building Hope" Campaign surpassed the $2.14M mark and we are moving right along. If you are interested in donating or volunteering for the Foundation, please call 406-771-3107, email samantha.shinaberger@gfclinic.com or click the button below.

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Paver Naming Opportunities Available

Create a Lasting Tribute The Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation has different size pavers available within the future patient housing facility (as shown to the left). Please help support the new project by honoring or memorializing a special loved one with a commemorative paver prominently displayed with a personal inscription within the facility. Each paver is durable and engraved with your message. The cost is $1,000 for a 12" x 12" size ( UPDATE: 20 MORE JUST ADDED! ), $750 for an 8" x 8" size and $500 for a 4" x 8" size paver. Pavers will be placed in visible locations and be of a material consistent with the decor and architecture of the new facility. For more information or to reserve a paver, please call Samantha at 406-771-3107 or email samantha.shinaberger@gfclinic.com. Or you can complete the paver form online at www.gfclegacy.org/donate .

November 2019 Donors Here we recognize our donors for each month in the following month's newsletter. Below is a list of donor names that donated to our Foundation last month: BNSF Railway Foundation Pamela Chigbrow Contract Flooring Lindsey DeBolt Justin Donaldson Electric City Plumbing and Heating First Interstate Bank General Distributing Company Great Falls Clinic Steve and Marlena Halko Bob and Lori Henderson Leisa Hotaling Doris Isaacs Marci Lorio LPW Architecture Steve McCracken Kenneth Meske My Viola Floral Studio Our Savior Lutheran Church Amy Pennington Kendra Puckett Kimberly Schwartz Francis Socash Surgery Partners Dr. Kelly Underhill and Paul Mousseau Allen and Diana Unghire Dianna Wichman

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