Charting Course Ahead
A message from Steve Abbott
Thousands of committed, caring Cape Codders believe that excellent
health care is in everyone’s best interest. They are committed
to building and supporting the best possible health care system on
Cape Cod. They want family members, neighbors and friends to have
top quality health care close to home.
They are the donors and supporters of the Cape Cod Healthcare
system, and we celebrate them in this special philanthropy
edition of Currents, Cape Cod Healthcare’s magazine.
This edition includes the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation’s Annual
Donor Report in which we applaud the great achievements of the past
year by highlighting our generous donors and supporters of Cape
Cod Hospital, Falmouth Hospital and the Visiting Nurse Association.
We also look to the future and highlight the increasingly vital role
philanthropy will play in the delivery of health care services on
Cape Cod going forward.
Cape Cod Continues to Grow
Cape Cod continues to be the fastest growing area in Massachusetts,
with a projected year-round population of 250,000 by the year 2010.
Much of the population is over 65 years old – 23% in Barnstable
County compared to 14% in Massachusetts and 12% nationwide –
and this group puts great demands on our health care system.
As we consider future health care solutions to meet the needs of our
growing, aging population – such as expanding our inpatient capacity
and acquiring high-end medical technology – the need for philanthropic
support continues to increase and become more essential.
Fortunately, we are privileged to live among thousands of caring,
community-minded supporters whose generosity has helped Cape
Cod Healthcare achieve so much.
Consider some of the philanthropy highlights from 2004:
In July, we announced three separate $1 million gifts to Cape Cod
Hospital. Two of the gifts – from Frank and Maureen Wilkens of
Oyster Harbors, and John and Marjorie McGraw of Osterville –
will be used primarily to help build the new patient bed addition
at Cape Cod Hospital. In addition to the gift to Cape Cod
Hospital, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkens donated $100,000 to the VNA’s
Staff, Recruitment and Training Fund. The third $1 million gift –
from Richard and Doris Sellars of Osterville – was in the form of
a Charitable Remainder Trust for Cape Cod Hospital.
We also witnessed another example of the value of Remainder
Trusts as a charitable instrument this year. Falmouth Hospital
received a $1 million distribution from the trust of longtime
Falmouth resident George H. Smith. Mr. Smith created the trust in
1952 to make payments to his wife and thereafter to his daughter.
With the passing of the last Smith, Falmouth Hospital became the
recipient of the remainder of the trust valued at $1 million.
This remarkable example demonstrates the value of charitable
instruments, as this one trust has benefited a family for more
than 50 years and now a charity. These funds will be used for
several important additions to Falmouth Hospital.
These are only some of the many highlights, but they demonstrate
that the support of many donors is critical to developing the
essential projects and priorities in the coming years. The financial
requirements will be significant and will require a combination of
philanthropic support and efficient management of our operations.
I know we can meet our goals because we are truly blessed on the
Cape with people who not only have means, but also have philanthropic
intent. We are so grateful to all of our donors and partners
who have supported our two hospitals and the VNA of Cape Cod
through the years and by doing so demonstrated their belief in
our vision – to provide top quality, easily accessible health care
services for all Cape Cod residents and visitors.
We invite you to meet with us and learn more about the important
plans and dreams we have to help ensure availability of vital health
care services. Please contact the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation to
learn how you can make a difference to the future of Cape Cod