giving for good bemidji

For patients at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center, the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center and beyond, your generosity makes all the difference. Together, we’re powering new insights, driving breakthroughs and providing patients and families with world-class, comprehensive care close to home in the Bemidji region. We’re saving more lives thanks to the addition of the new PET/CT digital imaging system at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center and the regions first Mobile Mammography Unit.

Last year, we put over $3.2 million in philanthropic gifts to work across the Bemidji region. Read more in the 2024 annual report.

Give for the Bemidji Region

Local Priorities

Philanthropy is an integral part of the care provided at Sanford Health. The Sanford Health Foundation in the Bemidji region plays a crucial role in supporting specific programming for patients and staff, upgrading essential equipment, and funding special projects tailored to meet the needs of our communities.

Child Life

Join our efforts to help make unplanned pediatric health care journeys easier for local families through the region’s new child life program. These services provide necessary emotional support, reduce stress, improve outcomes and help kids get better, faster.

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Cancer

More than 3,000 of our neighbors across the region turn to the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center every year. Donors support costs of lifesaving MRIs, services like nurse navigation at no cost to patients, complimentary wigs and head coverings, advanced technologies for cancer prevention, detection and treatment, staff education, and so much more

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Behavioral Health

In the last 10 years, the Sanford Bemidji Mobile Crisis Transportation saw a 316% increase among adults needing psychiatric crisis services and a 338% increase among children. Philanthropy supports psychiatric services at the Sanford Bemidji Crisis Center, scholarship and internship opportunities for local students in behavioral health fields, community and school-based programming to expand mental health screening and access, and so much more.

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Leadership Connection

A region update from Dr. Jason Caron, president & CEO of Sanford Bemidji.
February 26, 2026

Rural health care can bring unique challenges: smaller teams, broader responsibilities, unpredictable patient volumes and the ongoing need to be good stewards of resources entrusted to us as a nonprofit health care organization. Through all of that, what makes the biggest difference for our staff is knowing the community is behind them, understanding the complexity of the work, offering patience during difficult moments and recognizing the effort put in day after day.

One of the most meaningful ways that encouragement shows up is through the gratitude we receive directly from patients and families. A simple thank‑you note, a kind comment or a Guardian Angel nomination can not only turn around a difficult day, it can also remind us why we do what we do.

Our Guardian Angel program allows patients and families to share their thanks and appreciation in a meaningful way and give a gift of gratitude, ensuring future patients and families can experience compassionate care close to home. And the best part: every honoree receives special recognition and a Guardian Angel pin they can wear with pride — a visible reminder that they are loved and that their care changes lives. I recently had a chance to be part of a Guardian Angel award presentation celebrating Heather Czywczynski, a nurse practitioner at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center. The experience was a chance for me to see first-hand how this program lifts the spirits of our caregivers and reminds them why their work matters.

If someone at Sanford made a difference for you or a loved one, I encourage you to experience the power of gratitude and explore this program today.

Dr. Jason Caron

Bemidji’s Signature Events

Below are a few of the signature events we host in the Bemidji region. To see more events in Bemidji, visit our calendar.

Pours for a PurposeLearn More

PETALLearn More

Other Bemidji EventsLearn More

Get Involved through Fundraising

At Sanford Health, our doctors, researchers and caregivers are working to bring health, hope and healing to more than 1.2 million people across the Upper Midwest. With you on our team, we can accelerate our race to uncover new breakthroughs, develop new treatments and create meaningful programs that support patients and their families.

Launch your fundraiser in the Bemidji region and inspire others to give for good today!

Create a Fundraiser