GRMC Auxiliary Makes Significant Pledge to Grinnell Regional Medical Center Chemotherapy

The GRMC Auxiliary has pledged $150,000 toward the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign directed for the new chemotherapy and infusion department. This department is now officially known as the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite and is a tribute to the countless volunteer hours of service that the auxiliary has provided for decades and continues today.

“Our mission is solely to support GRMC through volunteer service and philanthropy, supporting a positive patient experience and providing scholarships to those seeking education in a health-related field,” says Shannon Reding, president of the GRMC Auxiliary.

“We wanted to honor the auxiliary for all they have done for GRMC, and ultimately for the entire community,” says Dan Agnew, co-chair of the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign for GRMC. “Their role, past, present, and future, is truly vital to the success of GRMC.”

The GRMC Auxiliary has more than 300 members and volunteers who serve within the medical center. They raise funds through special events such as the annual wreath raffle; the angel tree; jewelry, book, and medical scrub uniform sales; and Tag Day.

The Glass Gift Box located in the GRMC lobby is also a funding source for the GRMC Auxiliary.

“Many don’t realize that their purchases at The Glass Gift Box go toward our auxiliary projects,” Reding says. “It is one of our strongest fundraisers year-round.”

Overall, the comprehensive campaign, Moving at the Speed of Life, has a goal to raise $7.5 million over the next three to five years. To date, GRMC has $1.8 million toward these projects, including $450,000 from the last capital campaign.

Funds are being raised to modernize the GRMC emergency department and create an urgent care clinic, purchase the daVinci® surgical robotic system and a new CT scanner, renovate Postels Community Health Park to accommodate a new fitness center, and establish an endowment for Grinnell Regional Mental Health Center, in addition to the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite.

If you’d like to become a GRMC Auxiliary member, stop by The Glass Gift Box or call Kerri Olson, volunteer coordinator, 641-236-2588.

To learn more about the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign, call Denise Lamphier, 641-236-2589.

The GRMC Auxiliary was honored at an opening reception of the new GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite on July 15. Pictured here are members of the GRMC Auxiliary Board with Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. From left to right: Kerri Olson, Karen Thomson, Jessie Johnson, Bonnie Buntz, Jennifer Collins, Todd Linden, Kama Small, Sheila Latcham, Sarah Smith, Judy Brown, and Fran Davis.