CGH Health Foundation offers several community health care programs

STERLING – The CGH Health Foundation is raising funds for community health care projects, including dementia support and free screening mammograms.

The CGH Health Foundation is a nonprofit supporting the health care initiatives and services provided by CGH Medical Center. Executive Director Amanda Blaine said the foundation started in 1987 with a $400,000 endowment fund from Emil Ryberg.

Blaine said the foundation is currently raising funds and accepting donations to help raise $565,000 for 15 projects, including health education, financial assistance programs and more.

The Dementia Project

“This is one of our main projects that started about three years ago because of a request we received to fill gaps for families struggling with dementia,” Blaine said. “Our dementia navigator, Beth Sterk, has helped over 200 families to navigate their journey with dementia, such as finding resources, answering any questions on finances or housing, or anything along those lines.”

The Dementia Project also provides sensory therapy items to area nursing homes and has created support groups for caregivers. Blaine said the foundation plans to start a Dementia Respite Care Center in late January.

The respite care center will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday at Bethel Reformed Church, 230 E. 23rd St. in Sterling.

“That’s a chance for caregivers to drop off their loved one so they can have time to do things to take care of themselves, such as go to doctors appointments or get their hair done or have coffee with a friend,” Blaine said. “It’s just a safe place to leave their loved one.”

For more information on the project, call Sterk at 815-625-4790, ext. 3977.

Women’s health

Blaine said the foundation’s oldest program provides free screening mammograms for women in the Sauk Valley area. Screening mammograms are used to detect breast cancer in women who do not have any signs or symptoms of the disease.

“We will also help with funding for the underserved for any other tests that are possibly needed, such as MRIs, breast biopsies, ultrasounds and anything along those lines,” Blaine said.

Call 815-625-0400, ext. 5550, to schedule a screening mammogram through the program.

Other CGH Health Foundation projects include:

• Medication Assistance Program
• Transportation Assistance Program
• Oncology Case Coordinator
• Ways to Wellness Program
• Pediatric mental health services
• Cancer comfort care
• Eyeglasses for kids/adults
• Prescott Dental Clinic
• Nutrition & Fitness/CATCH
• CGH Therapy Dog Program
• Cardiac/Workplace Wellness
• Pulmonary rehab

The foundation also provides $30,000 in scholarships to local students each year.

For more information, visit cghmc.com or call 815-625-0400, ext. 5672.