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.

Learn More

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

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Leadership Connection

A region update from Dr. Jason Caron, president & CEO of Sanford Bemidji.
January 29, 2026

As a kid growing up in Bemidji, a career in health care was always of interest to me. At Concordia College, my interest grew deeper and in medical school at the University of Minnesota, my passion for the heart and science of medicine really took shape. During my orthopedic residency, a mentor extended the opportunity to participate in an experience that further-affirmed my call to care. A mission trip through a faith-based nonprofit allowed me to travel to the city of Pucallpa, a town in eastern Peru’s Amazon rainforest. It was my first mission opportunity to not only use my gifts and training to mend bones and care for people in pain, but to also bring hope to people who desperately needed it.

Since joining Sanford Health, I’ve continued to travel to Peru each year. Several years ago, I began bringing residents with me to help them learn and grow in their training. One of these former residents is now a fellow colleague at Sanford Health here in Bemidji. This opportunity to help develop the next generation of caregivers for our region is just one of the many reasons I’ve always felt proud and grateful to be part of Sanford Health. Here, our mission to care, comfort and cure extends far beyond the walls of our hospitals, clinics and facilities to touch the lives of people across our region and the world, including those who live in rural areas where many face unique challenges that impact their health and well-being.

As the nation’s largest nonprofit rural health care system, our work is only possible thanks to donors like you whose generosity fuels our efforts every day. As I step into the role of president and CEO for the Bemidji region, I want you to know how much your partnership and your continued support means to me. Bemidji is my home, and I care deeply about this community, our patients and our people. I look forward to connecting with you in the weeks and months ahead as we continue to advance care and services for people across our area.

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