Banner employees give back and break records

Annual Better Together employee giving campaign continues its remarkable run

11/1/2024

Banner Health’s iconic blue heart is more than a symbol representing the ideals of care and compassion for our communities. Inside Banner’s many facilities and corporate spaces, our thousands of employees follow the call of their hearts by giving back to support programs and services that benefit our patients and communities. And this year, they broke all previous records by giving a collective $2.5 million from their own pockets.

Since Banner Health’s employee giving campaign known as Better Together began in 2009, employees at all levels of the organization have given more than $20 million collectively. Employees have a wide range of options for where to direct their gift, including donating to an area of care that is close to their heart such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or pediatrics; to the Banner facility where they work in order to support a priority identified by facility leadership; a particular program that serves patients or the community; or to one of several scholarship funds that help our health care professionals attain education to advance their skills and areas of practice.

Each Banner facility team works to build momentum and encourage participation through fun activities that combine camaraderie with the spirit of philanthropy. As an example, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center hosted an Olympic-style torch run to celebrate Better Together, while other Banner entities host drawings for prize baskets.

“To see the dedication and enthusiasm among our teams as they came together to give a record-breaking $2.5 million this year was truly inspiring. It shows how much our caregivers, leaders, support staff, and corporate teams truly care about our patients and the well-being of our communities,” says Amy Perry, Banner Health’s President & CEO. “On behalf of the leadership team and board of directors, I commend our thousands of Banner Health teammates for giving so generously to make life better for everyone in our care.”

One of the most popular funds supported by generous and bighearted Banner employees is the Supporting Our Staff (SOS) fund. Last year, nearly 1,000 team members needed assistance during a personal financial crisis, and SOS came to the rescue. SOS funds are confidentially distributed to applicants who demonstrate evidence of a hardship, including unplanned medical expenses, death of a family member, loss or reduction in household income, unexpected major home or vehicle repairs, divorce, eviction, utility shut-off or unplanned child-care expenses. In 2023 alone, $600,000 was given to our colleagues – by our colleagues – so they could get past a personal situation and continue delivering the best possible care and support for our patients.

Special thanks to Jean Lance, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, for serving as this year’s Better Together executive sponsor.

Banner Health Team Members Giving Back Spotlight

Angee Telesco, IT Service Delivery Coordinator
Gives to Banner Alzheimer’s Institute

“This fund is important to me because multiple members of my family have struggled with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and personally caring for my grandmother during her struggle makes me more committed to this amazing program. I’m just a computer nerd, not a clinician or scientist who actually makes miracles happen. This Better Together fund gives these miracles workers a chance to provide education, personalized care, and hope in a cure for future families suffering from the effects of Alzheimer’s.”

Jacqueline Perea, Senior Director of Purchasing
Gives to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

“Giving to Better Together makes me feel like I can be part of something bigger than myself and support those in need when they need it the most.”