Partners in Wellness Spotlight: Sheryl Palmer

11/26/2024

Taylor Morrison is a generous philanthropic supporter of Banner Health. The Scottsdale-based homebuilder recently built and donated eight homes and a wellness center for cancer patients who travel from outside the Phoenix metro area to receive care and treatment at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. Patients and their care partners stay in the private two-bedroom, two-bath homes for three to six weeks on average, free of charge, enjoying the comforts of a peaceful home environment within walking distance of the Cancer Center. We asked Taylor Morrison’s Chairman and CEO, Sheryl Palmer, about this generous gift.

Q. What motivates you to become philanthropically involved in projects at Banner MD Anderson?

A. Just like housing and building places of shelter for people to call home, health care is one of the most intrinsic needs a person can have. Whether it’s happening personally to you or to a loved one, the reality is that at some point everyone will need compassionate care at some point in their lives, and they are going to want to receive that care from the best medical professionals they possibly can. Taylor Morrison builds communities but unfortunately, cancer touches people in all kinds of communities. Our professional family and the families that we build homes for need the support, expertise and personal touch and care that Banner provides. I know from personal experience the need for family and support while going through such critical care to aid in recovery and emotional well-being.

Q. In what ways have you found meaningful impact in supporting the Banner Health Foundation?

A. The beautiful partnership between Taylor Morrison, the Banner Health Foundation and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center banding together to build our Home Away from Home Community is arguably the most meaningful philanthropic endeavor we could have pursued. It allowed us to call upon our community to rally behind a common cause and build something that will continue to touch the lives of people when they need it most. The impact is never-ending and has touched our team members’ hearts—not just in Arizona but across the country.

Q. What advice can you share for other companies who are looking to make a difference in the community?

A. With great partners and the support of one’s community, no idea is too big. For five years, Taylor Morrison and the Banner Health Foundation ideated on what a community of healing could look like. While we knew we could build beautiful homes that double as restful retreats for patients and their loved ones, we never could have imagined the meaningful ways the Home Away from Home community would continue to evolve, with the construction of the wellness center in the community and the culmination of this idea debuting on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition this January 2025.

It is impossible to quantify the impact for the patients and their families and equally difficult to quantify the impact to our employees who felt so privileged to be part of such important work. It’s wonderful when doing the right thing is also doing such good and touches so many lives in such a meaningful way!