Articles
Coffee Connections
Sun Health Foundation’s Coffee Connections events are a unique opportunity to engage in insightful conversations and learn from experts in health, wellness, and active aging. These events bring together community members to discuss topics that inspire healthy living and well-being in a casual, friendly atmosphere—often with a cup of coffee in hand. For those unable to attend live, Sun Health Foundation offers a video library of previously recorded Coffee Connections events, allowing you to access valuable health tips, expert advice, and inspiring stories at your convenience. Whether you want to revisit a favorite topic or catch up on a missed session, the video library is an excellent resource for ongoing learning and wellness support. Click below to view past recordings. Holiday Cheer and Tax Relief: The Perks of Charitable Contribution
A Night of Fine Dining and Philanthropy: Food For Thought Raises $86,000 for Brain Health
A Night of Fine Dining and Philanthropy On Saturday, February 1, 2025, Sun Health Foundation hosted its highly anticipated Food For Thought event at The Colonnade, A Sun Health Community. With 185 guests in attendance, the evening was a resounding success, bringing together community members, fine dining enthusiasts, and passionate supporters of brain health. Through your generosity, we grossed nearly $90,000 in tickets and donations to support the Sun Health Memory Care Navigator program. This vital service provides guidance and resources at no cost to individuals and families navigating the challenges of dementia-related diagnoses. A Culinary Journey with Purpose The evening featured an elegant six-course dining experience, with each dish carefully crafted to highlight brain-boosting ingredients and paired with exceptional wines. Every course was met with praise, a testament to
Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center Expands Women and Infant Services with Support from Sun Health Foundation
Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center has recently unveiled a significant expansion to its Women and Infant Services department, marking a milestone in providing enhanced care for mothers and newborns. The new addition includes three state-of-the-art recovery bays, a crucial space or patients recovering from cesarean sections and other surgical procedures. This expansion was made possible by the generous support of the community through Sun Health Foundation, an ongoing partner dedicated to advancing healthcare in the community. The expanded recovery area offers private, comfortable spaces for families to bond with their newborns immediately following surgery. By providing these additional recovery rooms, the facility not only enhances patient care but also optimizes the use of labor and delivery rooms, allowing them to be dedicated solely to their primary purpose. This thoughtful
Maximizing Your Charitable Giving with a Qualified Charitable Distribution
As year-end approaches, many individuals look for ways to reduce their taxable income while giving back to causes they care about. One effective strategy for charitable giving is the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). A QCD allows individuals who are 70½ years or older to transfer funds directly from their IRA to a qualified charity, offering a range of financial and philanthropic benefits. Below are some of the advantages. Reduce Your Taxable Income One of the most compelling reasons to utilize a QCD is its ability to lower your taxable income. Normally, when you take a distribution from an IRA, it is considered taxable income. However, with a QCD, the amount transferred directly to a charity is excluded from your gross income. Satisfy Your RMD
Understanding Legacy Giving: Leaving a Lasting Impact
When it comes to supporting charities and organizations, the options are plentiful. One powerful way to extend your philanthropic impact is through legacy giving. But what does it mean to be a legacy donor, and how can you make a difference? What is Legacy Giving? Legacy giving involves making gifts to nonprofits as part of your estate plan, allowing you to support causes you care about well beyond your lifetime. This form of fundraising ensures that your values and beliefs continue to influence and uplift your community, creating a lasting impression. If you’ve been a supporter of an organization, consider the profound impact you can have by leaving a legacy gift. Not only does it provide financial resources to the organization, but it can also enhance your own well-being. Studies
Having a Giving Heart
Donating has a profound and far-reaching impact on the world. When you give, it not only benefits the foundation or charity receiving your support but also positively influences your overall health. Whether you give your time, money, or effort, there are multifaceted benefits. Let’s explore how your physical and mental well-being can benefit from your generosity. Various studies have demonstrated that helping and giving to others can decrease your risk of mortality over five years. The primary reason for this phenomenon is that giving reduces stress levels. As stress is a significant contributing factor to numerous health issues, finding ways to alleviate or eliminate stress is crucial. Consistent giving has been linked to lower blood pressure and improved heart health, ultimately leading to a longer and healthier life. Some of
Driving Fore Health & Wellness Golf Day raises over $64,000
Sun Health’s Driving Fore Health & Wellness Golf Day raises over $64,000 for cancer care and treatment for Banner Boswell Medical Center On Saturday, April 13 participants took swings against cancer for the sixth year in a row at Sun Health Foundation’s Driving FORE Health & Wellness event at Topgolf in Glendale. Individuals, families, friends, and organizations came together to support advancements in cancer care and treatment at Banner Boswell medical center. Among the supporters was Banner Health thoracic surgeon Brett Broussard, who shared his very personal story of being diagnosed with cancer at 17, which led him to a career as a surgeon treating cancer in others. The day was filled with enthusiasm for supporting the positive outcomes and shorter treatment times that advancements in equipment, treatment, and care
Warren D. Ruff Scholarship Makes A Nursing School Dream Come True
Warren D. Ruff received great care and kindness from the nursing and medical staff at Boswell and Del W. Webb hospitals during the last decade of his life. Warren spent his retirement in the West Valley as a community leader, showing generosity with his time, friendship, and care for others. To honor his legacy, Warren’s family established the Warren D. Ruff Scholarship Fund, which is held at Sun Health Foundation, for those looking to pursue or advance their nursing career. The fund has provided nearly $1,000,000 in tuition assistance since it was established in 2020. Andrea C. is one of the recipients of the Fall 2023 Warren D. Ruff Scholarship and is pursuing a degree in nursing at Grand Canyon University. This semester, she started the nursing program, which she
4th Annual 5K for Women’s Health Raises Nearly $50,000 Community comes together to support healthier women with diabetes prevention education
Exciting news! Sun Health Foundation’s fourth annual 5K for Women’s Health on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Surprise Stadium raised nearly $50,000, with net proceeds benefiting diabetes prevention education through Sun Health Wellness. This is a testament to the community’s growing support for vital wellness resources that empower longer, healthier lives. There’s more great news. The event welcomed a total of 424 runners, walkers, and riders ages 2-93 who participated in person or virtually – the most participants to date. An excited crowd was welcomed by Michael Barnes, Vice-chair of Sun Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Senior Vice President & Senior Trust Advisor, Northern Trust. “Thank you to participants, donors, sponsors, community partners, and spectators. Your support makes a tremendous impact and hits close to home for many of you
Sun Health Foundation celebrates partnership and honors Banner Boswell
West Valley residents have uncommon bragging rights when it comes to the exceptional quality of healthcare and wellness programs close to home. This was further demonstrated recently with the news that Banner Boswell Medical Center has been ranked second overall among Arizona hospitals in widely performed adult procedures and conditions as reported by U.S. News Best Hospitals. The report analyzed almost 5,000 hospitals’ performance. The medical center recorded “high performing” rankings in several categories including aortic valve surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement, lung cancer surgery, and stroke. These rankings lead to positive outcomes. “On behalf of the Sun Health Foundation Board of Trustees, I’d like to extend our congratulations to Banner Boswell Medical Center and the amazing
Sun Health Wellness Expert answers the question: Can Type 2 diabetes lead to heart disease?
Diabetes and heart disease have a direct connection, with the diabetic up to four times more likely to die from heart attack. The good news? It’s manageable, even preventable. Already at a high risk from diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death, the diabetic is also far more vulnerable to the number one cause: heart disease. High blood sugar is a known risk factor of heart disease, just like smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol increase the risk. It’s common knowledge. Because it increases fatty material inside of our blood vessels, the danger of blockage is increased, along with the risk of heart attack or stroke. The vessels also become stiff and hard, making it easier for the fats to stick to the walls of the blood vessels. When a
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We have a rich history as one of Arizona’s most influential nonprofits focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of those we serve.
