Philanthropy

The OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute was the site of a heartfelt celebration on Tuesday, February 11, as leaders from OSF HealthCare, the OSF HealthCare Foundation, OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, and mission partners gathered to recognize the generosity of Katie McCord-Jenkins, Tom Jenkins, and Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company. Their early and significant support played a crucial role in the fundraising efforts that brought the OSF Cancer Institute to life.

Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HealthCare, expressed his deep gratitude to the McCord-Jenkins family and Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company, noting how their generosity set a high standard for philanthropic giving. "Their support was instrumental in achieving many of our goals," Sehring remarked. "Today, thanks to donors like them, the Cancer Institute is a thriving place where patients receive world-class care."

Dr. Jim McGee, Founding Director of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, acknowledged the impact of the gift honoring Katie McCord-Jenkins’ father, Michel A. McCord. He echoed Sehring’s sentiments while emphasizing the importance of prevention. "As Bob said, ‘We are busy,’ but I would rather see us busy providing preventive education and early detection rather than treating advanced cancer. Our goal is to help people avoid the burden of cancer altogether."

Tom Hammerton, President of the OSF HealthCare Foundation, highlighted the pivotal role of McCord-Jenkins, Tom Jenkins, and Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company in the early stages of fundraising for the OSF Cancer Institute. "Their commitment established crucial momentum in our campaign, inspiring other donors to step forward."

Speaking on behalf of her family and company, Katie McCord-Jenkins shared personal reflections on her father’s battle with cancer and his unwavering spirit. She recalled a moment early in the OSF Cancer Institute’s development when Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F., affirmed that "God was behind the building of the Cancer Institute…He wants this to happen…and it’s going to happen."

"My father faced cancer with courage, strength, and dignity," McCord-Jenkins said. "While visitors to the OSF Cancer Institute may not know his name, seeing it on the wall will serve as a lasting tribute to his spirit, hope, and determination. Strong communities have strong medical institutions, and OSF HealthCare’s commitment to excellence mirrors my own feelings about this incredible community."

Hammerton closed the event by expressing his deep appreciation for the McCord-Jenkins family and Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company. "Their generosity and love for this community are truly humbling."

Following the formal celebration, Michelle Conger, Chief Executive Officer of OSF Saint Gabriel Digital Health and incoming CEO of OSF HealthCare, spoke with McCord-Jenkins about OSF’s future initiatives. Conger’s response reaffirmed the organization’s dedication: "We’re all in."

The event underscored the power of philanthropy in transforming health care and ensuring that patients receive the highest level of compassionate, leading-edge treatment.

On Friday, July 26, OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute hosted a special gift celebration to recognize Kathy and Harry Puterbaugh for their generous $500,000 gift.

The Puterbaughs gift to the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute was also recognized with naming of the Lobby Waiting area, located on the first floor of the OSF Cancer Institute, to foster a soothing and supportive environment, perfectly aligning with the OSF Cancer Institute’s mission of delivering compassionate, comprehensive care.

In his remarks, Harry Puterbaugh emphasized that their gift was, “...not a donation …it is an investment. An investment in Peoria, health care and the region.” Further, he expressed gratitude to The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis for their steadfast leadership over the past 147 years.

OSF HealthCare is thrilled to announce a $2 million gift from Polly Barton to the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, specifically dedicated to proton beam therapy. In recognition of this significant contribution, the proton beam therapy area will be named the “Glen and Polly Barton Beam.”

Polly Barton, a lifelong resident of Peoria, has a deep-rooted commitment to the community. Her late husband, Glen Barton, devoted 43 years to Caterpillar, Inc., retiring as CEO in 2004. Glen passed away from cancer in 2016, and this gift serves as a testament to the Barton family's enduring legacy and dedication to advancing cancer treatment.

Reflecting on her involvement, Polly Barton shared, “I had to be involved; Glen would have wanted me to help. The Mission of OSF Saint Francis (did she say Saint Francis or HealthCare?) is the constant. I’ve grown up in Peoria, and I would not go anywhere else. The Cancer Institute is for the community, and I am so proud to have played a role in the campaign.”

The unveiling of the Barton Beam signage took place on July 25. Dr. James McGee, radiation oncologist and Founding Director of the OSF Cancer Institute, expressed profound gratitude: “Polly Barton's generous gift significantly enhances our ability to provide cutting-edge proton therapy to our patients. The ‘Barton Beam’ will be a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of philanthropy in advancing cancer treatment and research. Polly Barton's support allows us to push the boundaries of medical innovation and improve the lives of those battling cancer.”

The OSF HealthCare is delighted to announce a remarkable and heartfelt contribution to the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, a beacon of hope in the fight against cancer. Dave and Nancy Golwitzer and their family have generously made a significant gift to advance the Mission of the OSF Cancer Institute. Dave’s business roots as president of Illico, Inc., are solidly grounded in Central Illinois and his passion extends to improving the lives of others. His journey from entrepreneurship to philanthropy exemplifies the power of dedication and compassion.

Dave's connection to the OSF Cancer Institute traces back to a pivotal moment during a recent tour. The experience left an indelible mark on Dave, as he personally witnessed the OSF commitment to excellence compassionate care. The OSF Vision resonated deeply with him, prompting an immediate and unwavering commitment to support its crucial Mission. He immediately saw the impact the OSF Cancer Institute would have on the entire Central Illinois community and the Midwest as a whole. In his commitment to the OSF Cancer Institute he stated, “After taking a recent tour of the OSF Cancer Institute … I recognized an opportunity to participate in bringing into existence a facility that will encompass world class treatments for life changing medical issues here in our own back yard.”

Notably, Dave's engagement goes beyond a financial contribution; it is a testament to a lifetime of hard work and dedication. Having served on the board of The Woods Foundation, a charitable foundation located in Logan County, Illinois, for two decades, Dave recognized a harmonious alignment between the OSF Vision and the core values of The Woods Foundation. 

In addition to Dave’s personal commitment, following a tour of the OSF Cancer Institute with fellow members of The Woods Foundation board, the board decided to make a $1 million commitment to help further the locally based innovative research, patient-centered care and transformative initiatives being undertaken at the OSF Cancer Institute.  

The unwavering support by Dave and The Woods Foundation further underscores the belief that the OSF Cancer Institute is not merely an institution, but a catalyst for positive change and healing.

This generous gift from Dave and Nancy Golwitzer and family offers hope to cancer patients and their families and empowers the OSF Cancer Institute to continue its groundbreaking work. We express our deepest gratitude to Mr. Golwitzer for his visionary leadership, compassion and commitment to making a lasting impact on the fight against cancer.

Thanks to individuals like Dave Golwitzer who inspire us with their generosity and dedication, together, we stride forward in the pursuit of a future where cancer is conquered. 

In the philanthropic realm, fate recently played a pivotal role in a transformative act of generosity: a $1 million gift to the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute.  The donation emerged from a chance encounter and the visionary commitment of The Woods Foundation to address a crucial need.  During a tour of the Cancer Institute, three members of The Woods Foundation Board of Directors, Bill Bates, Chris Golwitzer and David Golwitzer, were deeply moved by the potential impact on cancer patients.  Inspired, they presented their idea to contribute to the energy and vision driving the Cancer Institute to the fourth Director of The Woods Foundation, Blinn Bates.

Despite The Woods Foundation's primary focus on philanthropic endeavors, with an emphasis on Logan County, Illinois, all four Directors recognized the broader significance of the Cancer Institute's work, serving virtually every hospital within the OSF HealthCare Ministry and benefiting people throughout Illinois, neighboring states and beyond.  Hearing and seeing what will be accomplished at the Cancer Institute, further fueled their passion to be part of the OSF HealthCare mission to cure cancer.

Motivated by a sense of purpose, The Woods Foundation Directors committed to supporting the Cancer Institute, aiming not only for a financial contribution but also to catalyze positive change in cancer research and treatment.  This visionary commitment culminated in a remarkable $1 million gift, symbolizing a shared dedication to a future where the impact of cancer is reduced, and advancements in treatment and care are more accessible.

This inspiring story underscores the unpredictable yet powerful nature of philanthropy, illustrating the potential for positive change when individuals unite with a shared vision. The $1 million donation serves as a beacon of hope for those affected by cancer, emphasizing that chance encounters and visionary commitments can shape a brighter future.  The Directors of The Woods Foundation firmly believe that the OSF Cancer Institute will help citizens in Logan County as well as all Central Illinois and beyond.  The grant from The Woods Foundation is made possible through the generosity of Robert J. Woods and Joan Jarrett Woods through the creation by them of The Woods Foundation.

Commitment to our community and its state-of-the-art healthcare led CEFCU, a Peoria-based nonprofit credit union, to make a $1million gift to support the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. The gift names the high-tech Teaching Kitchen currently under construction within the 180,000-square-foot institute.

According to CEFCU President/CEO Matt Mamer, the community-minded gift had been a topic of discussion for several years. He recalls former CEFCU president Mark Spenny originally brought the idea of supporting the cancer institute to the credit union’s board of directors after hearing about it at an OSF board meeting.

“CEFCU members and our entire community benefit from world-class cancer care, and community support is one of CEFCU’s three pillars, along with members and our employees. The positive economic impact of bringing new, high-paying jobs generated by the cancer institute will also benefit members. Helping educate our community about cancer risks and prevention through nutrition is a need we certainly support.”

Matt added the credit union continuously seeks new initiatives and ways to support community initiatives that mean the most to their members.

“It’s important to us as a credit union to invest in the communities where members live and work and to support projects that will benefit them,” he noted.


The topflight CEFCU Teaching Kitchen will offer a healthy lifestyle educational environment by focusing on prevention and wellness efforts to lower the risk for cancer and cancer recurrence. Patients and families affected by cancer will also benefit from classes that will help them learn how to prepare foods that address specialized needs while going through cancer treatment, including extra calories, protein-focus, swallowing difficulties and taste and smell changes. Prevention of other diseases and chronic health conditions will also be addressed, with advanced IT technology offering remote access to facilitate live-streamed classes.

“Healthy eating is at the center of our very well-being,” said Sister Judith Ann, O.S.F., Chairperson of the Boards, OSF HealthCare. “Our Sisters and our OSF community so deeply appreciate the giving spirit of CEFCU’s leadership and their generous support of the cancer institute. The positive impact the teaching kitchen will have in supporting both cancer care and cancer prevention is beyond measure and core to our Sisters’ Mission of serving others with the greatest care and love.”

Sean Scranton, Chairman of the CEFCU Board of Directors, said, “Naming the institute’s teaching kitchen is right in our strike zone. At some point, most of us have known someone who has been affected by cancer. The CEFCU Teaching Kitchen will help people learn how to eat more nutritiously throughout and after treatment, as well as addressing prevention, which is something we can all benefit from. CEFCU supports OSF’s efforts to keep our community healthy and ease the burden of cancer.”

Recalling when he was employed with OSF a number of years ago, Sean remembers Sister Judith Ann saying, “You may not be at OSF your entire career, but you will always take a piece of our Sisters’ Mission with you.”
“Of course,” he added, “Sister was right.”

To learn how you can share this vision and support the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, please contact the OSF HealthCare Foundation.

The Gilmore Foundation continues to reflect Bob Gilmore’s generous spirit with a $1M gift to support the new Cancer Institute and expansion of OSF’s nurse navigation program for patients and families. The gift also included a matching component that inspired additional $1M gifts.

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center has received one of the largest donations ever given from a living individual in the organization’s history.

John M. Pepe, a philanthropist and industrialist, has made the generous gift in memory of his late son, John M. Pepe, Jr., who died in 1963 from childhood leukemia at the age of 1. The gift will be used to fund an endowed chair of pediatric oncology named after his son, in support of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute campaign, the largest philanthropic campaign in the 145 year history of OSF HealthCare.

Words cannot begin to describe the gratitude we hold for the Pepe family in our hearts. For years, they have been right by our side sharing in our commitment to serve persons with the greatest care and love. In 2015, a gift from Pepe was used to fund the OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center’s newly expanded cancer center renamed the Patricia D. Pepe Center for Cancer Care, in loving memory of Pepe’s wife, Patricia, who died from cancer earlier that year.

The Pepe family also donated the Garden of Hope, which is located outside of the cancer center and the St. Francis Garden near the front entrance of the hospital in Rockford, Ill.

“I’ve been fortunate to have achieved success in my career, which has afforded me the opportunity to help others,” says Pepe. “To me, this recent gift is a way to bring my late wife and son together again. Pat and I were young at the time when our first child was born and ultimately passed away. My family has always enjoyed a special relationship with OSF Saint Anthony and the staff has treated my family wonderfully, as they have with so many other families. I’m proud to say that I’m still close with many of the Mission Partners and people I served on boards with over the many years.”

“John and his family have been tremendous supporters of OSF HealthCare for a long time,” said Ryan Duvall, Strategic Philanthropy Officer for the OSF HealthCare Foundation. “The Pepe’s generosity, especially when it comes to helping people fighting cancer, is unwavering. The generosity of their gift will impact patients for years to come.”

Psalm 9:9
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.