Ed and Sally Sullivan - Gundersen Health System

Spring 2008
Inside:
CMN Radiothon
Raised More Than
$40,500 ...................... p. 2
Welcome
Heather Gilles .............. p. 2
Honorariums and
Memorials.................... p. 3-4
Badgers Return ............ p. 5
Blarney Party
Challenge Form ............ p. 5
FUN-Raising Calendar .. p. 6
Children’s Connection
is a publication of the Children’s
Miracle Network,
Gundersen Lutheran Medical
Foundation
1836 South Ave.
La Crosse, WI 54601
Editor: Sarah Fillbach
Design: Dave Saegrove
CMN Staff: Heather Gilles &
Jean Moe
To learn more about Children’s
Miracle Network and the work we
do, please visit us online at
www.gundluth.org/cmn
Ed and Sally Sullivan:
Thanks for the miracles
Children’s Miracle Network ® (CMN), along with
perennial hosts Ed and Sally Sullivan, invite you
to join in the fun on Feb. 23-24 for the 17th
Annual Blarney Party Challenge.
This year’s theme is “Thanks for the Miracles,” as
this marks Ed and Sally’s final Blarney Party
Challenge. This dynamic duo has helped to raise
well in excess of $1 million in the 17 years they’ve
hosted the Blarney Party Challenge.
Joining Ed and Sally this year is 8-year-old
Tanner Lepsch of La Crosse. When he was 6 years
old, Tanner was diagnosed with somatodyspraxia
– a condition that makes it difficult for him to
learn new motor skills. The condition is similar to
people who have had a stroke. As a result,
Tanner’s speech was very hard to understand and
he needed specialized, intensive speech therapy.
Watch the Blarney Party Challenge to hear more
about Tanner’s story and the help his family
received from CMN. The Challenge runs from
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 and from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24. The program
can be heard on WLFN 1490 AM radio
and seen on Charter Communications
cable channel 16 in Bangor, Black River
Falls, Eau Claire, Holmen,
La Crosse, Melrose, Mindoro,
Onalaska, Sparta, Tomah and
West Salem; channel 6 in
Altura, Lewiston,
Rollingstone, Stockton, and
Winona, Minn., and
Fountain City, Wis.; and
channel 18 on Tri-County
Communications (TCC)
in Trempealeau County.
Sponsors will be recognized all weekend long for
their 2007 fundraising efforts. As always, we’ll
have a phone bank ready for volunteers to take
pledges or bids on the live auction items – a very
popular portion of the weekend. You can bid on
items throughout the weekend, but final bidding
begins on Sunday at 1 p.m. Auction items will be
on display at Valley View Mall as well as on our
Web site at gundluth.org/cmn.
To make a pledge or to place bids,
call (608) 781-8900 or (800) 853-6889.
Or pledge by mail with pledge form on
pg. 3.
If you’d like to participate in any way, call CMN
at (608) 775-5345 or (800) 853-6889.
Ed and Sally with
Tanner Lepsch of La Crosse, WI
Children’s miracle network
1

CMN Radiothon raised more than $40,500
for area kids and families
Children and families who have benefited from Children’s
Miracle Network ® (CMN) shared their stories and inspired people
throughout the Coulee
Region to call in and make a
pledge during Radiothon
2007 in October. The fifth
annual, three-day event
raised $40,580 for CMN.
“The stories we hear during
Radiothon are always very
powerful and this year was
no exception,” says Jean
Moe, CMN regional event
specialist. “We’re so grateful
to the wonderful families we
met who shared their stories
with listeners. They are the
ones who made the phones
ring and really conveyed
what CMN is all about. All
of these families agree you
never think you will need
CMN, but are very grateful
that we are there to help when they needed it the most.”
Hunter Howell of Westby met Miss Wisconsin, Christina Thompson, during
Radiothon 2007. CMN is the national platform for the Miss America
Organization. Christina spent several hours working on the phone bank. Hunter,
now 3 1/2-years-old, was very sick when he was born and spent two months in
the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Gundersen Lutheran. Hunter needs a
walker, which CMN helped his parents, Jennifer and Eric, purchase. They also
benefited from meal tokens and specialized equipment in the NICU when Hunter
was hospitalized.
The La Crosse Radio Group once again broadcasted the event
on its stations Eagle 102.7, Magic 105 and CC106.3. “The
La Crosse Radio Group’s support and passion for the event has
grown every year. We can’t thank them enough for their support,”
Jean says.
CMN welcomes Heather Gilles
We are pleased to introduce Heather Gilles to our Children’s
Miracle Network team. Heather’s role with CMN
will be primarily working with all the CMN national
accounts and assisting them with their fundraising
efforts.
While she is new to CMN, Heather has worked at
Gundersen Lutheran for about six years. Previously
she worked in Community & Preventive Care
Services (CPCS) at Gundersen Lutheran so she is
well versed in health, wellness and prevention. We
look forward to tapping Heather’s extensive event
planning and coordination experience. While with
CPCS, Heather was involved in a number of major events such
“Each year, I’m amazed by the outpouring of support from
everyone in the community. It’s always a great reminder of what
a wonderful community we live
in. We couldn’t continue to
support the families we heard
from during Radiothon, as well
as hundreds more each year,
without the community’s contributions.
Thank you to all of
you who have continued to support
this great effort,” Jean
adds.
CMN would also like to thank
the volunteers who gave their
time to answer phones and take
pledges; all the families for
bringing the reality of CMN to
listeners; Deb Brague from
Magic 105, Dave Kennedy from
Eagle 102.7, and Jacklyn Daniels
and John Stevenson from
CC106.3 for a job well done;
Pat Smith and the La Crosse
Radio Group for endless hours of support; and to Foresters and
all of the businesses who helped sponsor the event.
For more information about CMN, go to gundluth.org/cmn.
as the Shoe Crew Program, The Fall 15, Great River Walk and
Steppin’ Out in Pink. Her talents will be a valuable
asset to CMN and our roster of fundraising events.
Heather is excited to have the chance to work with
kids again. She worked with Shriners Hospitals for
Children - Twin Cities as an intern and then was
hired as the recreation therapist for the hospital.
Heather also worked at Winona Health as a recreational
therapist.
Originally from Winona, Minn., Heather now lives
in Onalaska with her husband Bill and their 3-yearold
son, Sean.
2
Children’s miracle network

CMN Honorariums and Memorials received October 1
through December 31, 2007
Honorariums
In honor of Maverick Allen
Cheri Brudos
In honor of Armitage Clients
“Armitage, Inc.”
In honor of Dusty Beer
Daron Schmitz
In honor of Dan & Dana
Skemp Family
Danielle Benden
In honor of Nancy L. Bowell
Charlie & Brenda Krupa
In honor of Joe Browne
Brandy R. & Rob Heilman
In appreciation of Children’s
Miracle Network from the family
of Gavin Gregas
Henry & Neva Fiege
Joe & Jennifer Gregas
Adriane Larson
Donald F. & Jacqueline Meyer
John & Eileen Paggi
Mike & Mary Paggi
Mark E. Meyer & Susan M.
Schoof
Christopher J. Zimmerman
In honor of Tommy & Dana
Cicardo
Thomas A. Cicardo
In honor of Blake Erdmann
Erica Barnes
Pastor & Mrs. Joseph A.
Crabtree
Ernest E. & Audrey J.
Erdmann
Willie E. & Billie J. Erdmann
Bradley P. & Shellie M.
Proudfoot
In honor of Ayden Gannon
Gary D. & Myrna J. Schmidt
In honor of Bradley & Connor
Granahan
Ward & Cheryl A. Smith
In appreciation of Gundersen
Lutheran Employee Assistance
Peter D. & Mary Ellen
McCartney
In honor of Gundersen Lutheran
Health Sciences Library Staff
Peter D. & Mary Ellen
McCartney
In honor of Gundersen Lutheran
Learning & Development
Peter D. & Mary Ellen
McCartney
In honor of Gundersen Lutheran
Medical Media Dept.
Peter D. & Mary Ellen
McCartney
In appreciation of Gundersen
Lutheran Nursing Staff
Development
Peter D. & Mary Ellen
McCartney
In honor of Gundersen Lutheran
Service Excellence Dept.
Peter D. & Mary Ellen
McCartney
In honor of Mason, Ava, &
Maddox Herlitzke
David & Elrita Herlitzke
In honor of Keean Kuderer
Tom & Laurie Lane
In honor of James L. Langley
Todd D. & Linda S. Eber
In honor of Brenna & Ciarra
Lietke
David & Elrita Herlitzke
In honor of Mitchell ‘Mitch’ J.
Maxey
Karen A. Sampson
In honor of Mike & Jaine
McCormick
Berit Gilbertson
In honor of Katie O’Reilly
Dale & Mary Wetterling
In honor of Mara Peterson
Brian & Emma Peterson
Lee & Lorilee Peterson
In honor of Jordan Prahl
Tilford M. & Joan E. Ike
In honor of Jacob Schroeder
R. L. & Bonnie Hicks
In honor of Zoey R. Slaby
David R. & Patricia L. Happel
John M. & Alicia B. Jacobs
Mike & Judy Leahy
James & Sheila McNally
Cindy M. Pickering
Aloysius J. & Darlene Slaby
In honor of Jacob Thesing
Stephen R. & Pamela K.
Pauloski
In honor of Chad & Lisa
Waldenberger
Berit Gilbertson
In honor of Macy Williams
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Evanson
Whitney Fiberglass Products
In honor of Elizabeth Wyland
William J. & Dorie V. Beres
Memorials
In memory of Jess ‘Red’ Andrews
Fred L. & Constance M.
Brensel
In memory of Karl Artschwager
PTM Inc.
In memory of Ethan Augedahl
Debbie & Brad Augedahl
Jeffrey A. & Theresa A.
Krueger
In memory of Delmer Henry
Backhaus
Gundersen Lutheran
Administration
In memory of Sidney G. Bahls
Mason W. & Julie
Quackenbush
In memory of Adolph G.
Baldwin
JoAnne Scharpf
In memory of Diane K. Bauer-
Foster
Michael E. & Rose M.
Albrecht
Donald G. & Donnis M.
Buchan
Debra R. Wagner
In memory of Eugene ‘Gene’
Berns
Gundersen Lutheran
Administration
In memory of Brenda L. Bradley
Jay S. Bratberg & Debra L.
Johnston Bratberg
Donald & Linda Eppelheimer
Brian J. & Susan K. Fiegen
David G. Guckleberger
Gary L. & Sandra Luepke
John A. & Melanie J. Murphy
continued on page 4
Children’s miracle network 3

Robert J. & Janet K. Roth
Michael C. & Jennifer C.
Schwedler
Carl E. & Denise M. Shedivy
Paul & Theodora Solberg
Dennis A. & Marianne A.
Stanke
Ann L. Yates
In memory of Carli Christina
Clements
Charles F. & Janet T. Schleifer
In memory of Lillian M. Daines
Lois Slaback
In memory of Devyn M.
Doughty
Richard L. & Ruth A.
Doughty
In memory of Mary Dyb
Kevin P. & Marla H. Withey
In memory of Catherine M.
Grap
Gundersen Lutheran
Administration
In memory of Mary & Norman
Gravelle
Heath Winters & Andrea
Gravelle
In memory of Annabel A. Haun
Karen Baus
In memory of Fred Haun
Karen Baus
In memory of Colleen E. Jacob
Donald S. & Heather
Stapleton
In memory of Milan Jernander
Frank O. & Mary Ellen
Johnson
In memory of Jacqueline ‘Jackie’
J. Keenan
Lois Slaback
In memory of Sara Anne
Cherith Kerrigan
Debbie & Paul Brazil
Rick & Carol Westpfahl
Virginia A. Wiblin
In memory of birthday Sara
Anne Cherith Kerrigan
Richard & Annette Mikat
In memory of Cheryl J.
Kocimski
Debbie & Jim Kroner
In memory of Joseph Koelker
Kenneth J. & Kathleen A.
Greene
In memory of Frances M. Lund
James S. & Lynn M.
DeBauche
In memory of Kaitlin E. Mahr
Michael J. & Sheila J. Durand
Debbie Kroner
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth W.
Merkitch
Kevin P. & Marla H. Withey
In memory of Stacy Marchand
Jerome H. & Lenora Jorstad
In memory of Cory Scott Monti
Marjorie H. Arneson
Central High School Grand
Central Station
Michelle Hare
William D. & Brenda C.
Weber
In memory of Frank Nicolet
Judith Nicolet
In memory of Robert J. Noll, Sr.
Nicole Williams & Kerry
Redfearn
In memory of Father William
O’Neill
Michael J. & Sheila J. Durand
In memory of Jenna Marie
Peterson
Gaylord I. & Cindy Peterson
In memory of Arleigh R. Pfaff,
Sr.
Roger L. & Janice L. Bolstad
John H. & Deborah L.
Brostrom
Crescent Printing Company,
Inc.
Debbie Kroner
Jim & Mary Lichtie
William W. & Nancy L.
McMullin
Jim & Mary Rohe
Marilyn J. Running
Steven L. & Betty Sacia
Johnnie L. Schmeckpeper
Nicole Williams & Kerry
Redfearn
In memory of Ramona F. Pfaff
Jim & Mary Rohe
In memory of Sandra Pierce
James R. & Marilyn Reedy
In memory of Sara
Ranzenberger
Larry & Linda L. Arentz
In memory of Edna C. Schlicht
Harry L. & Lorraine A.
Davidson
In memory of Hugo Schulze
Gundersen Lutheran PNICU
In memory of Pamela A.
Sebranek
Robert & Monta Clark
Mary J. Cortesi
Peter L. & Faith Ellestad
Carolyn J. Farrell
Michael M. Mickelson
Kenneth & Hazel Schweiger
Mr. & Mrs. Arnie L. Sebranek
Dennis L. & Paula R. Stanek
In memory of Alice M. Sherry
Richard J. Halverson
McLoone, Inc.
George & Dorothy Oehrle
Judy M. Pierce
John & Betty Skime
Lloyd E. & Marilyn M. Skime
Dwaine A. & Barbara J. Smith
Trane Lodge #21 IAMAW
In memory of Isiah Stanton
Michael A. & Danice K.
Taylor
In memory of Brianna G.
Wagner
Ronald L. & Patricia Pavek
In memory of Helen J. Ward
Gregory & Ramona Malszycki
In memory of Kayleen M.
Weibel
Dean L. & Jane M. Remus
Steve & Molly Weibel
Tom & Nattie Weibel
In memory of Dorothy Wetterlin
Michael E. & Rose M.
Albrecht
In memory of Irene Wojahn
Mike & Kathy Mc Henry
In memory of Jennifer Wolf
Shari L. Jacobson
In memory of Joseph Duncan
Wright
Steven D. & Donna R. Viner
4
Children’s miracle network

The Badgers make a return
They’ve entertained thousands of Badger
fans across the state. Now the University
of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Marching
Band is bringing its unique sound and
style back to the Coulee Region.
The Badger Band will be putting on a
show at the La Crosse Center on Tuesday,
March 11 at 7:00 p.m. The show will
include fan favorite, show-stopping show
tunes, foot-stomping marches and all
your “fifth-quarter” favorites.
Proceeds from the concert benefit CMN,
a service of Gundersen Lutheran Medical
Foundation.
Additional details were still being finalized
at time of printing. Please call CMN at
(608) 775-5345 for more information.
If you are not able to tune in,
won’t you please be part of Ed &
Sally Sullivan’s Blarney Party
Challenge by sending in a pledge to
support Children’s Miracle
Network ® .
Thank you!
Name __________________________________________
Address ________________________________________
City __________________ State _____ Zip __________
Phone (________) _______________________________
Enclosed is my pledge $__________________
❒ $100 ❒ $50 ❒ $25 ❒ other
Make checks payable to:
Children’s Miracle Network
May we acknowledge your gift on
the Blarney Party Challenge?
❒ Yes ❒ No
Children’s miracle network 5

FUN-Raising calendar
To plan an event or promotion to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), please call us at (608) 775-5345 or
(800) 853-6889. This is a list of known events as of Jan. 25.
February
Feb 1-Feb 17: Boston
Gourmet Pizza, Eau Claire -
paper Valentine donations and
heart shape pizzas!
Feb 14: Singing Valentines are
the perfect gift! Call 783-0027
by Feb. 12 to make your
reservation.
Feb 14: Miracle Flower & Pin
Sale sponsored by Voulunteer
Services
Feb 16 & 19: Menomonie
Wal-Mart Distribution Center
- Ice Fishing Contest-Dunn
County Fish and Game
Feb 23 & 24: Blarney Party
Challenge with Ed and Sally
Sullivan, live on
WLFN 1490 AM, Tri-County
Communications and
Charter Communications
Feb 29: Altra Federal Credit
Union - CMN Bake sale for
employees and members
March
March 11: UW-Madison
Badger Marching Band show
at the La Crosse Center
March 15&18: Menomonie
Wal-Mart D.C. bowling at
Thunderbird Mall
March 17-19: Book fair in the
Gundersen Lutheran Clinic
April
TBA: Gundersen Lutheran
Lab-sponsored bake sale in the
Employee Information Center
and Erickson conference
room-4th floor, Hospital for
National Laboratory Week
May
May 1-31: Calendar raffle
sponsored by Gundersen
Lutheran Pediatrics
May 2-3: Knitcraft/St. Croix
sweater sale at Signatures in
Winona
May 7: Petunia sale at the
Gundersen Lutheran Support
Services Building in Onalaska
(behind the Gundersen
Lutheran - Onalaska Clinic)
May 8, 9 & 14: Petunia sale
in the Gundersen Lutheran
Hospital (dates may change)
May 13: Petunia sale in the
Gundersen Lutheran Onalaska
Clinic (date may change)
May 15-18: Menomonie
Wal-Mart D.C. golf at Mill
Run in Eau Claire
May 17: Ace Hardware Grand
Garage Sale at Ace
Distribution Center (near the
airport)
June
June 1-30: Calendar raffle
sponsored by Gundersen
Lutheran Pediatrics
June 1: CMN Celebration
Weekend live at Gundersen
Lutheran and on WXOW
TV-19 in La Crosse and
WQOW TV-18 in Eau Claire.
Children’s Miracle Network ®
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation
1836 South Avenue
La Crosse,WI 54601-5400
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
La Crosse,WI
Permit #119
Blarney Party Challenge
Feb. 23-24
Thanks for the Miracles