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NorthBay Healthcare Foundation serves as the fundraising arm of NorthBay Healthcare System, Solano County's only independent, non-profit healthcare provider. This blog, written by Foundation staff and board members, will focus on fundraising efforts.

Dedication Salutes Major Donors, Supporters

October 26, 2016
 

There are many conference rooms named after long-time NorthBay supporters located throughout the organization, but the latest was unveiled at the VacaValley Wellness Center on Oct. 13. The James E. Lawrenz and Heidi Y. Campini Conference Center was named to honor local couple Jim Lawrenz and Heidi Campini, who have supported the NorthBay Cancer Center with the largest donation to NorthBay Healthcare Foundation in NorthBay’s history.

“At first Jim and Heidi wanted to keep their gift anonymous,” Foundation Chairman Chris Sweeney told the audience. “But they realized they might be able to inspire others to give any way they could if they shared their story.”

A covering was ceremoniously pulled from a dedication poster and guests were invited to come inside and celebrate.

Although Jim lost his battle with melanoma in 2013, he and Heidi were very pleased with the compassionate care and advanced medicine he received at the NorthBay Cancer Center.

Heidi knew Jim would want to lead by example, with a gift that would serve as his legacy for generations to come.

“Jim would have been delighted to see this new, state-of-the-art Cancer Center open here in Vacaville, in a place where patients will be treated by kings and queens,” said Heidi.

But the awards didn’t stop there.

Brett Johnson, president of NorthBay Healthcare Foundation, introduced the Colleen and Bill Roatch, parents of international rock star and Vacaville native Jacoby Shaddix, of Papa Roach, who presented Heidi with a special tribute.

Jim was a big rock ‘n’ roll fan, and he and Heidi were able to see a special Papa Roach concert in Las Vegas before he died. A photograph of Jacoby with Jim and Heidi, as well as several Papa Roach posters, an autographed guitar, and an autographed album will be on display in the conference center.

“The name of this album is very meaningful,” explained Brett during the presentation. “F.E.A.R. stands for Face Everything And Rise. I think Jim would be very proud to share that sentiment with all of you.”

The dedication of the  James E. Lawrenz and Heidi Y. Campini Conference Center followed NorthBay Healthcare’s 14th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon, held for the first time in Vacaville at the new location of the NorthBay Cancer Center.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon began with oncoplastic surgeon Jason Marengo, M.D., presenting the Christine Franklin award to Pat Mendez, president of the Solano Midnight Sun Breast Cancer Foundation, a former NorthBay Healthcare employee and a longtime advocate and confidante for anyone facing breast cancer in Solano County.

The award is named after a Vacaville woman who was a long-time NorthBay Healthcare Foundation supporter and Guild Volunteer who used her battle with breast cancer to educate others about the importance of mammograms and health care. A Pink Heals fire truck with Christine’s name emblazoned across the front was on hand for the event.

The award was a total surprise, and such an honor, Pat told the audience as she choked back tears.

Pat was working for NorthBay in physical therapy when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2001. She recalled how supportive her NorthBay family was at the time, and how they’ve continued to support her, even after she left the organization.

“God blessed me,” she told the crowd. “I didn’t need financial help and I had the wonderful support of my NorthBay family. But so many people out there are not as fortunate.”

That’s why she joined Solano Midnight Sun a few years ago, because it perfectly fit in with her goals to provide hope and support for breast cancer patients. The local nonprofit offers mammogram scholarships for the under insured and temporary financial assistance of basic living expenses for those in need.

In fact, the group’s co-founder, Elizabeth Fry, received the Christine Franklin Award in 2012. Joining to congratulate Pat were former recipients Wendy Wasserman Kellogg, Tina Benedict and Heidi Campini, the first recipient of the award in 2011.

 

Tags: foundation, c2c, commitment to care

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