Giving Matters A publication of St.
Jude Memorial Foundation
A Breath of Fresh Air
Nellie Armendariz-Saucedo enjoying another hike.
Avid hiker Nellie Armendariz-Saucedo
wasnt too concerned when she felt fatigued
and noticed she was bruising more than
usual. Still, she followed up with her St. Jude
primary care doctor and then went on with
her busy life.
Driving to work the next morning, Nellie
received a call telling her to head straight to
the St. Jude emergency department instead.
The blood test showed an abnormally low
platelet count. An X-ray revealed a shadow
on her lungs, and a biopsy confirmed her
worst fear lung cancer.
I was nervous and scared, she recalls.
I didnt know what to expect.
Although the cancer was caught at an
early stage, her surgeon, Daniel Oh, MD
surgical director of the St. Jude Center
for Thoracic and Esophageal Diseases
explained why the lower lobe of her lung
needed to be removed. Nellie worried she
might not be able to be as active as she was
before the surgery.
Dr. Oh quickly put her mind at ease
especially when he emphasized how soon
her life could return to normal. St. Jude is
one of the few hospitals in the region to
excel in robotic surgery for lung and other
cancers. Indeed, Dr. Oh is so renowned for
his expertise in using the technology that,
at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, he
heads the only worldwide center for training
other surgeons to use the da Vinci robotic
equipment for thoracic procedures.
Nellie was surprised and overjoyed that she
felt well so quickly. Less than a week after
her procedure, she did a 3-mile walk.
A few months later, she and her husband,
Carlos, enjoyed 5-mile daily hikes at high
altitudes during a weeklong vacation in
Sedona, Arizona. I might not be as fast as
I used to be, but I can do it, she says.
I feel very blessed that a surgeon of Dr.
Ohs caliber and experience was close by
to care for me and to have had access to
robotic surgery locally, she says.
Continued on page 3.
Winter 2016
Message from
Michael Hernandez
St. Jude Memorial Foundation
Board Chair
It is truly an honor to
be the new chair of
the St. Jude Memorial
Foundations all
volunteer board of
directors. St. Jude
is a special place, a
medical center unlike
any other in the region. The people here
care deeply about patients and families.
And the Medical Center gives generously
to the less fortunate in our community.
Ive observed the difference this hospital
makes first-hand: not only in the care
given to my elderly parents but also to
individuals and families who received
care through our Care for the Poor
programs. Ive seen them rebuild their
lives and then pay back that support
by volunteering for others.
St. Jude believes that everyone,
regardless of income, deserves the
best medical care possible. Our core
values dignity, service, excellence and
justice guide every action in serving
as many patients as possible, regardless
of their ability to pay.
St. Jude Medical Center invests nearly
$50 million annually in its community
through a wide range of programs,
including medication subsidies, Healthy
Communities initiatives, Senior Services
and St. Jude Neighborhood Health
Centers, which provided more than
16,000 medical and 7,300 dental visits
to uninsured/underinsured individuals
last year.
Continued on page 4.
Being a Magnet Hospital
To us it means our staff is the very best. To patients it means the very best care.
Were proud to announce St. Jude Medical
Center has been named a Magnet hospital,
a prestigious national honor earned by only
8 percent of U.S. hospitals. This award is the
highest accolade in nursing excellence that
any hospital can receive.
This coveted honor recognizes healthcare organizations that
deliver an extraordinary level of patient care, demonstrate
excellence in nursing practice, exceed national standards and
benchmarks, and display innovation and leadership in
improving outcomes.
Magnet designation highlights the culture of excellence that is a
cornerstone of how we serve our patients and this community,
explained Lee Penrose, President and CEO, St. Jude Medical
Center. It is one of the most difficult credentials to achieve in
the healthcare industry and offers tangible evidence of our staffs
commitment to providing the very best care.
Independent research shows that hospitals receiving Magnet
recognition consistently outperform other facilities, including
creating better patient outcomes, shorter lengths of hospital
stay, lower mortality rates, and higher recruitment and retention
of well-qualified staff. At Magnet hospitals, staff also spends
more time at the patients bedside and patients report greater
satisfaction with their care.
Magnet recognition joins a list of other national honors recently
earned by St. Jude Medical Center, including being named
an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center a designation
awarded to only a handful of hospitals in the state as well as
the highest national rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
for the hospitals outstanding heart surgery outcomes.

National Doctors Day

If youve ever felt that saying thank you just wasnt enough to recognize your doctor
for the life-changing care you received at St. Jude, youre not alone. Jonathan Winters
understands how you feel.
After winning the battle against cancer, he and his wife, Shelly, felt moved to
acknowledge the St. Jude physician who worked tirelessly to help him overcome it.
Shes the reason Im still alive today, Jon says of Giribala R. Patel, MD, of the St. Jude
Crosson Cancer Institute. It was like, all right, lets go kick [the cancers] butt, he adds
of Dr. Patels determination to keep his spirits up as he underwent treatment.
Jon and Shelly have since made numerous gifts to St. Jude in gratitude for Dr. Patels
dedication and for the extra years they will enjoy together due to her efforts. Their
support helps fund vital programs, equipment and technology to benefit current and
future patients.
It means so much that after the tough regimen I put my patients through, they take the
time to recognize me, Dr. Patel says. Im humbled and thrilled.
Dr. Patel and her fellow caregivers are particularly grateful that donor generosity makes If you, too, want to honor a special
it possible for St. Jude to offer some of the most advanced treatments and procedures St. Jude physician, March 30
available in the region. National Doctors Day is an
Hear more of Jonathans story at vimeo.com/144790986. opportune time.
To make a gift, contact Laura
Kramer at 714-992-3033 or visit
donate.stjudemedicalcenter.org/DoctorsDay.

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Donors in the Spotlight
Donors are our superstars! St. Jude Medical Center relies on the
visionary support of our Partners, Presidents Circle members,
Presidents Cabinet donors and Presidents Benefactors. Their
dedicated giving year after year sustains the medical center and
ensures our capacity to provide compassionate, leading-edge care
that creates a healthier community for us all.
Donors giving at these levels are the lifeblood of St. Jude Medical
Center, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued
generosity, says Susan B. Smith, vice president of philanthropy
for the St. Jude Memorial Foundation. They are a vital part of
the St. Jude family.
Through a variety of exclusive, informative events each year,
St. Jude recognizes and celebrates these donors, shares an inside Ted and Joy Jones come together for Dr. Daniel Ohs (pictured left) presentation on
look at the newest medical advances, educates on health topics St. Judes Robotic Surgery Programs at the annual Presidents Dinner.
that are useful to them and their families, and updates supporters
on the tangible difference their philanthropy is making at the the St. Jude Memorial Foundation. I want to personally invite
medical center. existing donors to move up to the next level of giving so they can
make an even larger impact.
These special gatherings allow us to express our appreciation
to our faithful donors, and keep them informed of the latest To learn more about how your donations can make a difference
developments at St. Jude, adds Smith. and how we show our gratitude call (714) 992-3033.

Their annual support adds up to big impact every year including

funding advanced technology in the Northwest and Southwest
Recognition Level Annual Giving
Towers, the Knott Family Endoscopy Center, and St. Jude St. Jude Partners $100$999
Crosson Cancer Institute. They have helped fuel the growth of
Presidents Circle $1,000$4,999
our Care for the Poor efforts which has served tens of thousands
of disadvantaged families in our community. Presidents Cabinet $5,000$49,999
Ive had the opportunity to meet many of our wonderful donors, Presidents Benefactors $50,000+
and they continually inspire me, says Mike Hernandez, chair of

A Breath of Fresh Air

Continued from page 1.
I cant express enough thanks to the donors who made this possible.
With advanced robotics, the expert surgeons at St. Jude can perform procedures with greater
precision than traditional methods, resulting in exceptional outcomes, fewer complications, and
speedier recovery times. With donor support, the medical center plans to add the latest version
of the robotic system the da Vinci Xi to its arsenal so that both devices can serve even more
patients and improve surgical outcomes for other cancers and abdominal diseases, such as colon
cancer and gall bladder disorders.
The newest da Vinci system will allow us to use even more enhanced dexterity and precision
to remove cancerous tumors with only minimal disruption to surrounding, healthy tissue,
says Dr. Oh.
Supporting this new surgical robotics equipment for St. Jude will be investing in better care and
better outcomes to help patients, adds Nellie. Its a miracle.

3
Health and a Home
Neighbors Helping Neighbors perfectly sums up the spirit of
this annual fundraiser, to be held March 17, and the programs it
supports our Care for the Poor efforts. Sometimes, however,
these neighbors have no home of their own.
George (not his real name) first came to St. Jude because he
injured himself at a gym. In his early 70s, he had not been
exercising, but instead had gone there because he had nowhere
else to shower. Homeless and without a family, he was invisible
to society and was on his way to becoming a statistic
that is, until paramedics rushed him to St. Jude, where he met
Community Care Navigator Carrie DeLaurie.
The Community Care Navigator Initiative connects our homeless
patients young, old, veterans and others of all walks of life
to life-improving resources. While the aim is to help them avoid
medical crisis that would send them to the emergency room,
the effect is to help rebuild lives. Whenever possible, DeLauries The process took about five months, but thanks to St. Judes
efforts include finding appropriate housing. Care for the Poor program and DeLauries tenacity, George can
now call a cozy one-bedroom apartment in Anaheim home. He
If you can find me something of my own for about $300 a
receives monthly case management and regular check-ins and
month, I will go, George told her. That amount might not
only pays about $167 per month in rent significantly less than
seem like a lot, but for people like George it can mean the
he imagined.
difference between safety and stability and being at the mercy
of the elements. For more information about the Neighbors Helping Neighbors
event on March 17 at the Summit House or to support the Care for
DeLaurie began by assessing Georges background to find
the Poor program, please contact Katie Flores at 714-992-3033 or
the best fit for his needs. George had a history of medical and
Katie.Flores@stjoe.org.
psychological problems, and had previously lacked access to
social service resources. With those challenges in mind, she
began a housing hunt that would change his life.

Message from Michael Hernandez

Continued from page 1.
Through extensive prevention programs in low-income
neighborhoods, these efforts reached more than 30,000 people.
The Medical Center not only provides care to community
members, but also offers transportation to seniors, nutrition
education for children and parents, and much more. Just one
example is our Community Care Navigator program, featured
above. And in future issues, we will highlight other efforts that
serve an endless number of people in our community.
We rely on the generosity of donors and assistance of volunteers
to make these programs successful. To continue to provide such
care, and expand services to additional individuals and families
in need, we need generous members of our community to
become involved.
These community benefit programs change lives and make our
communities stronger. I am committed to being part of this fine
hospital, and I invite you to join us as well. Together, there is no
limit to what we can help St. Jude accomplish.
Find out how you can help make a difference in your community
by calling the Foundation at (714) 992-3033.

4
Legacy of Giving
For decades, John and Anita McElligott were an integral part of the
St. Jude family, giving generously of their time, energy and finances to the
medical center. Both were actively engaged on St. Jude Memorial Foundation
committees, while Anita volunteered as a Guild member for 35 years and
John served as a foundation board member. Although both have since passed
away, their commitment and compassion live on, thanks to a charitable gift
annuity they made to St. Jude.
The McElligotts gift annuity helped support the completion of the
Southwest Tower, expanding and enhancing St. Jude for the benefit of future
generations. It also guaranteed the couple a secure fixed income in their
later years.
In addition to remembering John and Anita in our hearts, their names
as well as their childrens are proudly featured on a plaque placed outside
a Critical Care patient room in the tower. It is also fitting that the couples
planned gift led to their membership in the Sister Jane Frances Society, John and Anita McElligott
named for St. Judes first president, who was also a close friend of the
McElligotts. St. Jude thanks John and Anita for their generous commitment
to advance healthcare services in our community.

On their wedding day.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A Charitable Gift Annuity is the gift that gives back because it
provides not only for St. Judes future, but for yours as well.
How a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) works:
A CGA is a simple agreement that guarantees a fixed income
in exchange for an irrevocable gift of cash or other assets.
Income payments are based upon rates approved by the
American Council of Gift Annuities; the amount depends
upon the age and number of beneficiaries (see rate chart).
The donor receives a tax deduction in the year of the gift,
and a portion of the annuity payments are tax exempt.

Charitable Gift Annuity benefits include:

Guaranteed fixed payments for life.
Your Age Rate of Return An immediate, substantial income tax deduction.
5564 4.04.6% Recognition in the Sister Jane Frances Society, our estate
giving legacy society. For more details please see
6574 4.75.7% stjudemedicalcenter.org/plannedgiving.
7584 5.87.6% The personal satisfaction of knowing that your gift will help
St. Jude Medical Center continue to offer the quality medical
8589 7.88.7%
care that it has provided to the community since it opened
90+ 9.0% in 1957.
Rate Chart For a personalized illustration or for more information,
please contact Carolyn Swanson at the SJMF (714) 992-3033.

5
 PO Box 4138
Non-Profit Org.
Fullerton, CA 92834-4138
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #441
Fullerton, CA

Featured Inside:
da Vinci Xi Robot
Care for the Poor and
Community Benefits
Legacy of Giving:
Anita and John McElligott
National Doctors Day

SAVE THE DATE

Celebrate National Doctors Day

Wednesday, March 30, 2016
To make a gift honoring your physician,
call the Foundation at 714-992-3033.

St. Jude Medical Center

39th Annual Golf Classic
Monday, May 16, 2016
Los Coyotes Country Club

John Lin Memorial

Golf Tournament
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Coyote Hills Golf Course

For more information about these events, please contact Katie Flores at (714) 446-5853 or Katie.Flores@stjoe.org.