CHF News Winter 2023

WINTER 2023 EDITION
INAUGURAL
It was a warm and beautiful night
to have the first Lights of Love
Tree Lighting Ceremony, honoring
and memorializing those who
have impacted our lives!
Over $10,000 Raised
for the Breast Health Center in
memory of Amy Ritchie
$15,000 Raised by Top Gun
Sports Softball Tournament to
benefit Breast Health
Scholarship Awards Dinner
for Cabarrus College of Health
Sciences
CabarrusHealthcareFoundation.org | 704-403-1369

INAUGURAL
LIGHTS OF LOVE TREE
LIGHTING CEREMONY
It was a warm and beautiful night to have the
first Lights of Love Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The Lights of Love program, presented by
Wilkinson Funeral Home, gave our donors
the opportunity to honor or memorialize
someone who has made an impact on their
lives. The ceremony, held on November 29th,
at the Margie Campbell Healing Garden,
was well attended with over 100 guests who
joined together to remember those they recognized through the Lights of
Love program.
We had many guest speakers during the ceremony, including our very
own Angela Clark, Director of Spiritual Care and Education. Angela shared
how her department touches almost every single patient or family at
Atrium Health Cabarrus. Our Spiritual Care and
Education Department is the beneficiary of
our inaugural Lights of Love program. Angela
shared one of many heartfelt stories of patients
and families they cared for while at our hospital,
Atrium Health Cabarrus.
...after placing
Hope on the
ventilator, mom
held both of
her daughters
together for
the first time!
Rhonda Wright, Assistant Vice President of
Patient Care Services and co-chair of the
program shared a special story that evening
about the star at the top of the tree. The star this
year was named after baby Hope, who left this
earth way too soon. Hope was born at 25 weeks
and 3 days as a one-pound micro-preemie, full
of love and light; although she was with us for a
short time, she was the tiniest, feistiest fighter. Hope was born to Nathan
and Angela Preston and big sister, Eloise. Hope was not growing, and the
best chance of survival was having her admitted to the NICU. Hope stayed
in the Atrium Health Cabarrus NICU after she was born where she received
extensive medical care. Blood transfusions, ventilator and PICC line were a
few of the procedures this little one endured during her time.
Hope’s parents shared the impact her life had on those around her; she
showed strength and a fighting spirit. An immense love and light poured
out from her over the 16 short days she was given. Hope was the size of her
dad’s hand and fought to survive from day one. One of the hardest times
during this roller coaster was not being able to hold baby Hope. Hope’s
big sister, Eloise told everyone how beautiful her baby sister was despite
all the medical equipment Hope had on her tiny body. As things came
spiraling down more, the staff were tremendous in making sure the family
understood each step that was being taken for Hope during this journey.
Later that night, after placing Hope on the ventilator, mom held both of
her daughters for the very first time. The extended family, grandparents,
aunts, uncles and cousins came to visit her in the NICU, and photos were
captured. Hope was dedicated by their family’s pastor, Rev. Mike Field from
Hope Church Charlotte. Her parents were preparing for the hardest day
to come. But the next day, God sent their little family a miracle. As Hope’s

parents were giving her a bath, she began to
interact more and liven up. Her skin went from
pale gray to pink and she was splashing water
with her tiny arms and legs. God gave them an
extra day with Hope to hold her, love her and
make memories before she passed away on
February 13, 2019.
Hope’s story did not end on February 13th.
While this difficult time was devastating for the
family, Angela knew that she needed to keep Hope’s story part of their life
and support other families with similar experiences. For Hope’s first birthday,
their family and friends put together 60 NICU Hope baskets (which are care
packages for NICU families) and delivered them to the NICU. This was just
the beginning of sharing Hope’s story. Angela and her cousin Alicia, the NICU
mom of Max— a healthy, smart and playful now 9-year-old, decided to start a
nonprofit, Maximizing Hope, in honor of Max’s 71 days in the NICU and Hope’s
16 days of life.
Since its official launch in September 2021, they
have delivered over 100 NICU baskets, 50 NICU
graduate kits, and dozens of other care packages.
Angela and Alicia regard it as an honor that
Maximizing Hope is considered to be in partnership
with the Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation as they
keep Hope’s memory alive by bringing comfort to
families staying in the same NICU where she lived
her short time. Hope’s story was shared during the
event, but the best part was watching Eloise turn
the switch on and light the top of the star along
with the 20-foot Christmas tree in memory of Hope.
Our guests shared many stories, tears and memories of those they chose to
honor or remember during our first Tree Lighting Ceremony. We would like
to thank Jay Wilkinson and Wilkinson Funeral Home for being our inaugural
presenting sponsor for Lights of Love. A big thank you to our four co-chairs:
Mayor Bill Dusch, Jane Jacobs, Kenny Winn and Rhonda Wright.

Charlie Sastoque
Foundation President
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Dear Friends of Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation,
Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday
season. Thank you for your outstanding support of all the
many events and programs shared in this winter issue. We
are truly grateful for your dedication and passion to our
foundation and hospital. As we start 2023, we are excited to
announce that this Fall we will be unveiling our new donor
wall that will be located at the main entrance of the hospital. We have been
working on the new design and incorporating pieces of the original wall into this
new space.
We cannot wait to showcase the new wall that will include our history, and the
thousands of donors who have helped us raise over 60 million dollars over the
last 28 years for our hospital. In the coming weeks, please be on the lookout for
a mailing from the foundation on your current Cumulative Giving and where you
will be listed on the wall, with an opportunity to consider moving to the next
level by making an additional gift before the wall is finalized. We will also be
confirming your naming preference and how you would like to be listed.
Our donor wall will be a permanent testament to your generosity and
dedication as a community philanthropist
to our foundation and hospital. We look
forward to sharing your family’s legacy on
the wall for generations to come. Thank you
once again for your outstanding generosity.
Gratefully,
Charlie Sastoque
President, Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation
TOP GUN SPORTS SOFTBALL
TOURNAMENT HITS A HOME RUN,
RAISING $15,000 FOR BREAST HEALTH
Top Gun Sports hosted its annual
softball tournament, Fight Like A
Girl, where all proceeds support
the Breast Health Center at Atrium
Health Cabarrus. This annual
tournament brings out well over
100 teams who pink out the softball
fields. Each year this tournament,
located in Concord, raises $15,000
and this year was no different. The
Fight Like A Girl tournament has
now raised over $90,000 for our
hospital, Atrium Health Cabarrus.

SAVIN’ PAIRS BY THE
PINT RAISED $10,10O
Every year we are humbled by our community
partners who support the Foundation through
third-party fundraisers. This fall we added a new
partner to this group of supporters! Our very own
Foundation Board Member and friend, Kristin
Rodgers, owner of Doughgirls Catering, reached
out to us about hosting a third-party fundraiser.
This year’s inaugural event, Savin’ Pairs by the
Pint, was a pink breast cancer walk in memory of
her dear friend, Amy Ritchie, who lost her battle
with breast cancer in 2021. Kristin, Lynn Ritchie
and a group of their friends worked diligently
to put together an amazing event. Savin’ Pairs
by the Pint breast cancer walk took place in downtown Kannapolis on Saturday evening,
October 22nd. Friends, family members and others from the community came together
to show their support of their dear friend, Amy. Beautiful pink t-shirts were made for
those that participated and pink glow wands lit the evening sky as the supporters walked
around the West Avenue district. The Tipsy Hare hosted the event where pink cider was
sold and special cookies and cakes were made for all those supporting the fundraiser. It
was certainly a night to remember and an event we are all looking forward to next year.
All funds raised at this event were donated to the Breast Health Center at Atrium Health
Cabarrus to support underserved women and men in our community seeking breast
services at the Breast Health Center. A special check presentation was held at the Breast
Health Center where Kristin Rodgers, Lynn Ritchie and the owners of Old Armor Beer
Company presented a check for $10,100.
We are truly humbled by the generosity of those in our community who are so passionate
about supporting the Breast Health Center. We are especially thankful for board members
like Kristin who give unselfishly of their time to host third-party fundraisers that support
the patients in our community seeking treatment at Atrium Health Cabarrus. Thank you,
Kristin and friends!
If you’d like to learn more about how your organization can host a third-party fundraiser to
support the hospital, please email cabarrushealthcarefoundation@atriumhealth.org.
COMING THIS
SUMMER...
CUPID’S CUP IS BACK
& BETTER THAN EVER
On February 11th, the 19th Annual
Cupid’s Cup 5K and 1 mile walk will
be back in-person, supporting our
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Atrium Health Cabarrus. All donations
in support of the Cupid’s Cup stay here at Atrium Health Cabarrus. For
more information or to make a gift, scan the QR code.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Please mark your calendars to join us for a special Christmas in July
Toy Drive that supports the patients at Jeff Gordon Children’s Center.
This year’s Toy Drive will take place in July and we are so excited
for you to join us! The abundance of toys and special gifts for our
children become scarce during the summer and fall months. We know that you always
come through and we need you to mark your calendars to help us restock the shelves
with toys, blankets and more this July! Be on the lookout for more information about
Christmas in July.

SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS DINNER
In November, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences hosted its Scholarship
Award Dinner at Great Wolf Lodge honoring scholarship donors and
recipients. This night was very exciting and back in-person since COVID
allowing scholarship recipients to meet Foundation donors who support the
scholarship program at CCHS. Also, during the event, guests were welcomed
by Pat Horton, Market President of Uwharrie Bank, as the presenting sponsor
of the Scholarship Dinner. Guests also were able to have an opportunity to
hear a student testimonial, a special message from CCHS President, Dr. Cam
Cruickshank, and Keynote Speaker, Roy Hawkins, North Market President of
Atrium Health. Congratulations to CCHS Scholarship Recipients:
ATRIUM HEALTH CABARRUS MEDICAL STAFF SCHOLARSHIP
Carter Moore | Associate of Science, Nursing
Sarah Anne Vidak | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Shani Marcelle | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
DR. LINNY AND JOYCE BAKER NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Abigail Dunk | Associate of Science, Nursing
SUSAN HOWELL BARE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Braedon Allen | Associate of Science, Nursing
RALPH A. AND SANDRA B. BARNHARDT SCHOLARSHIP
Joshua Ascencio | Associate of Science, Nursing
ANITA A. AND TERRY L. BROWN SCHOLARSHIP
Samantha Cheek | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
CABARRUS COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP
Elizabeth Hood | Bachelor of Science, Medical Imaging
Nora McKiver | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
CABARRUS COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
LaQueaja Percell | Associate of Science, Nursing
Dakota Chabala | Bachelor of Science, Medical Imaging
BEATRICE WADDELL CALLOWAY SCHOLARSHIP
Bailey Stinson | Associate of Science, Nursing
CHARLOTTE RADIOLOGY MEDICAL IMAGING SCHOLARSHIP
Tamra Whitaker | Bachelor of Science, Medical Imaging
W. R. FLOYD SCHOLARSHIP
Katerine Perez-Batista | Associate of Science, Nursing
THOMAS HAYWOOD SCHOLARSHIP
Gabrielle Yow | Associate of Science, Nursing
MARY “GIBBY” LEE SCHOLARSHIP
Olivia Melville | Associate of Science, Nursing
G. E. LENTZ PLUMBING AND HEATING SCHOLARSHIP
Stefani Ireland | Associate of Science, Nursing

ROSE LIBERTO SCHOLARSHIP
Jodi Glenn | Associate of Science, Nursing
KAY LINKER PEDIATRIC NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Wendy Hever-Boldischar | Bachelor of Science, Nursing
DR. GEORGE W. LILES SCHOLARSHIP
Abbey Starnes | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
DR. AND MRS. THOMAS T. LONG III SCHOLARSHIP
Andrea Mosconi | Bachelor of Science, Nursing
JEAN TIPPETT PARTRIDGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Brooke Elkins | Associate of Science, Nursing
JOHN J. SMERZNAK SCHOLARSHIP
Taylor Mlodzinski | Associate of Science, Nursing
DR. DIANNE O. AND RICHARD H. SNYDER SCHOLARSHIP
Emma Hinson | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
VOLUNTEERS OF ATRIUM HEALTH CABARRUS SCHOLARSHIP
Mary Smith | Associate of Science, Nursing
Hannah Witcher | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
CAROLINE WALKER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Natiwya Crank | Associate of Science, Nursing
ROBERT WEAVER SCHOLARSHIP
Payalben Patel | Associate of Science, Nursing
JOHNETTE PADGETT WHITLEY NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Holly Whisman | Associate of Science, Nursing
ATRIUM HEALTH TEAMMATE DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Karsyn Underwood | Associate of Science, Nursing
CABARRUS CARES SCHOLARSHIP
Brianna Shaw | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
HARKEY SCHOLARSHIP
David Nesbitt | Associate of Science, Nursing
LETTIE PATE WHITEHEAD SCHOLARSHIP
Catherine Beaumont | Associate of Science, Nursing
PHI THETA KAPPA TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP
Felicia Simmons Garner | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant
RUBY DICKERSON WHITFIELD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Sonya Green | Associate of Science, Nursing
Carmela Lee | Associate of Science, Nursing
SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
Talesha Green | Associate of Science, Surgical Technology
UPS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Savanah Worley | Associate of Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant

SAVE THE DATE
The
Enchanted
Masquerade
Annual Black Tie Gala
April 15, 2023
7:00 PM
Great Wolf Lodge
Tickets & Sponsorships will be available
to purchase February 1, 2023.
Limited seating so reserve
your tickets early!
CabarrusHealthcareFoundation.org | 704-403-1369