During this season of thanks, we’re so grateful for all the ways your generosity helps make moments of good possible for patients and families every day. Moments of healing. Moments of hope. Moments of connection, comfort and joy during life’s most difficult moments.
Your generosity shines through in every act of care, every breakthrough and every moment of healing. We simply can’t thank you enough.
There are countless stories we could share about the impact of philanthropy. As 2026 comes to a close, please join us in celebrating these 26 Moments of Good, stories that remind us that every gift, no matter its size, helps patients receive the care they need for the healthy futures they deserve.
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The region’s first pediatric ED
is now open in Sioux Falls, providing 24/7 specialized emergency care just for kids. The David H. & Christine Billion Pediatric Emergency Department is also home to South Dakota’s only pediatric emergency medicine specialist team, bringing the highest level of pediatric expertise even closer to home.
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Piper is inspiring hope
as North Dakota’s 2026 Children’s Miracle Network Champion. Born with a severe form of spina bifida and other medical issues, she’s faced countless surgeries and procedures with courage and determination. Today, thanks to ongoing care from Sanford Children’s in Fargo, she’s thriving in ways that once seemed impossible.
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Lyla is shining bright
after arriving 17 weeks early and weighing less than 1.5 pounds at birth. During 122 days in the Marshfield Children’s NICU, donor-funded technology including the Giraffe Omnibed and NicView cameras helped support her journey. Today, as Marshfield’s 2026 Children’s Miracle Network Champion, she’s inspiring others with her remarkable story.
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Maci is finding joy
throughout her cancer journey thanks to the child life program at the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo. Supported through philanthropy, child life helps kids understand procedures, cope with anxiety and find moments of comfort throughout treatment through pretend play, activities, crafts, toys and more.
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Diane’s family is helping
create a home away from home for cancer patients through their gift for the Peltier Lodge in Fargo, the region’s first cancer patient lodging facility. Inspired by Diane’s own cancer journey, during which she had to spend months away from family, their gift will ensure cancer patients who are far from home can find comfort, support and connection.
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The Peltier Lodge is taking shape
as construction progresses toward its 2027 opening. From exterior brickwork to interior planning and staffing, each milestone brings the Fargo region’s first cancer patient lodging facility one step closer to reality. Funded by philanthropy, the Peltier Lodge will serve as a home away from home for cancer patients during treatment and during outpatient care.
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Kate knows both sides
of the cancer journey as both a registered nurse at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center in Bemidji and a breast cancer survivor. Thanks to early detection technology supported by philanthropy, Kate’s cancer was caught early, when it was still treatable. Now cancer free, today she reminds others of the importance of annual mammograms.
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Claire is living beyond limits
of multiple health conditions, including epilepsy and cerebral palsy, thanks to specialized care and therapies from Sanford Children’s in Bismarck and programs fueled by philanthropy. Today she’s reaching new milestones, embracing new adventures and loving everything about kindergarten.
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Pat’s legacy lives on
through a gift she directed prior to her passing to honor the compassionate care she received at Ava’s House, our hospice facility in Sioux Falls. During her final days, donor-funded programs, including music therapy, brought Pat comfort and peace. Her generosity will now do the same for future hospice patients and their families.
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Lexi became an advocate
for the importance of emergency care in rural areas after surviving a life-threatening medical condition at the age of 24 thanks to expert emergency care from the Sanford Medical Center in Bemidji. Today, she’s sharing her story to raise awareness and inspire support for future emergency patients.
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Heather is cancer-free
after a grueling battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Following chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and outpatient care at the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo — during which she spent months away from her home and family in Grand Forks — today she shares her story to inspire support for others with cancer.
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Miranda found hope
following a devastating house fire thanks to support from the Employee Crisis Assistance Program. For Miranda, a marketing analyst for Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic, the assistance eased financial worries and allowed her family to focus on what mattered most: healing, rebuilding and finding a way forward.
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Skylar is soaring
after finally receiving a diagnosis following years of painful symptoms and unanswered questions. Today, thanks to the team at Marshfield Children’s Hospital, she is learning to manage her pediatric lupus nephritis and cope during hospital stays. Inspired by the caregivers who continue to support her with expertise, empathy and encouragement, Skylar dreams of attending college and becoming a pediatric nurse.
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Our impact is growing
as Sanford Health expands access to care across the Upper Midwest. From the future Sanford Black Hills Medical Center Campus to our partnership with North Memorial Health, we’re creating more opportunities for patients and families to connect with expert care, specialized services and the support they need, close to home.
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Annie found strength
in her fight against childhood cancer through a kingdom of caregivers, a magical Castle of Care and moments of fun and whimsy made possible by generous donors. After a long journey, Princess Annie is now cancer-free and is sharing her story to inspire support for other local kids and families who will face a pediatric cancer diagnosis.
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His legacy of care
will live on through the countless lives changed and saved by his extraordinary generosity. As we continue to mourn the loss of our friend and chief benefactor Denny Sanford, we also celebrate how his philanthropy transformed patient care, advanced research and innovation and strengthened healthcare across the Midwest.
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We are surrounding parents
experiencing the heartbreak of pregnancy and infant loss with specialized care, comfort and support through theSioux Falls region’s first birthing and bereavement unit. Made possible entirely through philanthropy, the unit will serve as a peaceful, private space where grieving families can find resources, compassionate care and, most importantly, the time they need to say goodbye.
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Gratitude is changing lives
as grateful patients and families celebrate exceptional caregivers through our Guardian Angel and Shining Star programs. Every gift of gratitude stays local to care for other patients and families while honored caregivers receive personalized recognition and special pins they can wear with pride.
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Generous employees
set a new record for giving during our 2026 Employee Giving Campaign, giving an unprecedented $869,646 during the month of March. All gifts were generously matched by Sanford Health to benefit the Employee Crisis Assistance Program, creating a total impact of $1.7 million.
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Royce is ready
for what comes next after a long and difficult cancer journey. Diagnosed with leukemia at age 5, Royce found hope and healing thanks to world-class care from Sanford Children’s and the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck, as well as donor-funded programs like child life. Today, his family celebrates how far he’s come and his bright future.
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A new era for breast health
began this fall as the new Edith Sanford Breast Center opened its doors in Fargo. Designed to enhance the patient experience and expand access to leading-edge breast health services, the new center reflects our commitment to innovation, healing and hope for women across the region.
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Laura is celebrating
the care and compassion she experienced during her breast cancer journey by establishing an endowment to support future cancer patients at the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck. For Laura, the gift reflects everything she believes in: the power of local care, the importance of removing barriers for patients and the healing impact of generosity.
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Henry is unstoppable
thanks to the Complex Care Program at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. Fueled by philanthropy, the program connects children with complex needs to therapies, specialists and resources that help improve quality of life. For Henry, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome, that support is opening doors to new possibilities and brighter days ahead.
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Cancer survivors are reflecting
on the power of hope, resilience and world-class care at the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck in a new short film titled “The Faces of Cancer,” featuring eight local survivors, including Kevin Mosser from Mandan. Each survivor reminds us that even in life’s hardest moments, hope lights the way forward.
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Erin is sharing her fight
against triple negative stage IIIC breast cancer to raise awareness for research and clinical trials. Throughout her journey, she’s leaned on the expertise and support of her team at the Edith Sanford Breast Center in Sioux Falls. Today, she’s using her voice to help others with breast cancer feel informed, supported and empowered.
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A new era for emergency care
is coming to Bemidji through a project that will remodel the Emergency Department at the Sanford Medical Center. Led by a visionary gift from Dr. Richard and Nilla Stennes, the updated Emergency Department — which will proudly carry their name — will expand access, improve safety and enhance the patient experience.
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If you’re inspired by these moments of good and want to join our work to further transform healthcare, we invite you to Give for Good today. 100% of your gift through the Sanford Health Foundation will help advance world-class care and specialty programs for patients and families, close to home.
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