Camp Bluebird
Camp Bluebird Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary

Camp Bluebird, North Alabama’s only adult cancer camp, celebrated its 15th anniversary in October 2004. Beginning with 13 campers, the camp has grown to more than 100 campers and counselors and meets twice a year. The camp provides a retreat for cancer survivors with activities including crafts, health information sessions and bluebird-house building, with each camp culminating in a themed dinner party. As part of the 15-Year Celebration, campers set up a memorial to all past campers who have passed away. Many of the campers are faithful attendees and the camp is comprised of friends who are truly like family. The camp is sponsored by Decatur General Foundation, Decatur General, and Telephone Pioneers of America.

Golf Tournament
Foundation’s First Golf Classic is a Hole in One

Raising more than $85,000 in sponsorships and gifts, the Foundation’s First Annual Golf Classic was a success. The event, which took place May 1, boasted a long waiting list, with every tee time filled for the day-long tournament. The event was sponsored by 106 businesses and individuals in the community, including major sponsors Decatur Coca Cola and KIX-96.

Gala XX
20th Gala Honors Dr. Ken Chandler and Trudy Grisham

With a record number of attendees – 760-plus – Gala XX marked its 20th anniversary with grace. This year’s Gala benefited employee scholarships and new equipment for the Oncology Center. Each year, honorees are chosen as John A. Caddell Award recipients. This year’s honorees were Ken Chandler, MD, and Foundation President Trudy Grisham. Dr. Chandler has served the Hospital and the community in many capacities, unselfishly helping others. Mrs. Grisham has been instrumental in raising more than $9 million for Decatur General through her guidance of the Foundation. She has been with the Hospital since 1984, and this marks her 20th year to organize the Gala.

Free Clinic
Community Free Clinic Opens Its Doors to the Underprivileged

All around us, thousands of suffering people cannot afford healthcare and do not have insurance. To help these residents of Morgan County, the Community Free Clinic of Decatur-Morgan County opened in Spring 2004. The clinic is open two days a week to help the uninsured who have chronic illnesses and those who need medical treatment. This clinic operates based on community volunteer help and contributions. Many Decatur General physicians, nurses and employees volunteer their time to the clinic, which sees an average of 90 patients each week.

Oncology Project
Employees Give Abundantly to Oncology Center Campaign

Traditionally, the employees at Decatur General have given much of their time and money to help patients. But in 2004, employees went above and beyond to give to the Employee Campaign for the Oncology Center. The Employee Campaign Committee set a goal of $265,000, and employees well exceeded that goal by pledging more than $339,000. Nearly half of Decatur General’s employees gave to the campaign, which is more than ever before. The campaign, With You It Works, is part of a fund-raising effort to help purchase state-of-the-art equipment for a new Oncology Center. The new Oncology Center will include separate, dedicated floors for radiation oncology and medical oncology. In addition, the center will include a library, media center and home-like atmosphere to make cancer patients as comfortable as possible. Early 2005, the Foundation will launch a community campaign to help fund the $8 million center.

Fashion Show
Spring Fashions benefit Community Free Clinic

The Foundation, along with Jim and Marcela Adams of The Carriage House, Deloain Burgess of Deloain New York Day Spa and June Odom and Vivian Pylant of Doncaster, treated more than 600 women to a high-end runway fashion show on April 1. The First Annual Styles and Statements Fashion Show took place at Point Mallard Pavilion and featured local women as models for clothes, hair and makeup. A formal affair in an informal atmosphere, this event provided a unique way to raise money for the Community Free Clinic of Decatur-Morgan County. The idea worked – the event raised $16,000 for the Free Clinic.