Welcome! Friday, March 29, 2024 | Login | Register
   
Cleveland County HealthCare Shines In Community Outreach Efforts Local Healthcare System Still No. 1 In Nation For Giving

Continuing their strong tradition of supporting the community, Cleveland County HealthCare System (CCHS) once again leads the nation’s healthcare organizations in per capita giving to the Relay for Life and United Way.


For the last five years, CCHS has held the top spot among Relay for Life healthcare teams nationwide, consistently raising more than $50,000 a year since 2002. 


The United Way recently released its top 20 hospitals in per capita giving for the 2009 campaign. Despite being one of the smaller organizations in number of employees, CCHS topped that list as well. CCHS’ employees raised $250,243 to support United Way agencies within Cleveland County. This is the sixth year that CCHS has maintained their top ranking.


“One of the hallmarks of Cleveland County Healthcare System is the compassion of our healthcare professionals,” stated Brian Gwyn, CEO, “They understand that taking care of our community means more than just caring for patients. It involves reaching beyond the hospital’s walls.”


CCHS Relay for Life team, which includes Cleveland Regional Medical Center and Kings Mountain Hospital, raised more than $112,000 this year for the fight against cancer.


“Our team captains are phenomenal. To come close to the total we had last year was a feat, but to almost double that amount is absolutely amazing, especially in this economy,” said Jeff Ross, Outreach Representative for CCHS. “CCHS is fortunate to have employees who care.”


The hard work, creativity and efforts of CCHS employees are well known in Relay for Life communities around the country. Over the last five years, the American Cancer Society has repeatedly asked Ross to represent CCHS in meetings and conferences, teaching Relay for Life organizers throughout the country, and more recently around the world, the tactics and ideas CCHS finds successful. 


The employees, physicians and volunteers used a variety of grass roots efforts to raise funds including bake sales, dinners and their highly successful womanless beauty pageant. For the last seven years local physicians and business leaders have walked the runway to raise funds for Relay for Life. This year’s pageant raised more than $21,000. 


In 2009, the American Cancer Society presented CCHS with a lifetime commitment award for the dedication and hard work of their staff, and honored Ross by inducting him into the Relay for Life Hall of Fame. He is one of only six people to receive this honor during Relay for Life’s 25-year history. CCHS also ranks high among industries of all size and scope. Among the 27,800 teams in Relay’s South Atlantic Division, which consists of eight states, CCHS ranks 57th.


The hospital’s fundraising efforts are a strong part of the system’s efforts to fight cancer. CCHS’s cancer center offers the community a wide range of cancer treatment options close to home. Services offered at the cancer center include a variety of advance treatments including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), medical oncology (chemotherapy), XOFT (partial breast radiation), numerous support groups and more. A breast health navigator and an on-staff social worker also assist patients and families.


Printer-friendly format