Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation and Memorial Foundation Complete Successful $38.6 Million Capital Campaign

HOLLYWOOD, FL--(Marketwire - Sep 7, 2012) - Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation and Memorial Foundation announce the successful conclusion of the Believe Capital Campaign which raised an impressive $38.6 million for the new Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and other Memorial Healthcare System projects. The multi-year endeavor was the most significant fundraising project in the Foundations' history and paves the way to support new programs and services within Memorial Healthcare System.

The accomplishment of surpassing the Believe Capital Campaign goal of $36 million, especially meaningful during a challenging economy, was made possible by the hard work and generous support from thousands of donors: organizations, companies, individuals, estates and Memorial Healthcare System employees.

"We are grateful for the philanthropic support from the South Florida community and extremely proud of the results generated from our Believe Capital Campaign," said Kevin Janser, senior vice president and chief development officer, Memorial Healthcare System. "As Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital celebrates two decades of world-class care, we are forever grateful for the gifts to Memorial and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundations. Although the Capital Campaign has officially ended, our work continues as we support the mission of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation and Memorial Foundation."

Equally instrumental to the success was the leadership of The Wasie Foundation, a private charitable foundation that supports nonprofit organizations focused on healthcare and education. The Wasie Foundation contributed at the beginning of the campaign with a gift of $3 million, naming The Wasie Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This past year, The Wasie Foundation Challenge, a $2.5 million matching grant, sparked another round of generosity by inspiring donors at all levels to contribute. The grant matched dollar-for-dollar all new gifts and pledges starting at $20, and named The Wasie Surgical Suites.

"We are delighted to have contributed to the overall success of the Foundations' Believe Capital Campaign," said Jen Klaassens, vice president of programs for The Wasie Foundation. "The Wasie Foundation's aim was to set an example for corporate philanthropy and motivate individual giving, and we are thrilled with the great response from the community."

About Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation
Established in 1994, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation (www.jdchfoundation.org) raises funds to assist patients and their families and to underwrite the cost of programs, facilities, and equipment at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, the leading children's hospital in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The new freestanding Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital opened its doors to patients on July 21, 2011. The four-story, 180,000-square-foot facility has six operating rooms, imaging services, and an entire floor dedicated to pediatric oncology care. The new hospital's 48 additional private rooms bring the total licensed beds at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital to 204. To learn more or make a donation, please call 954-265-3454.

Memorial Healthcare System
Memorial Healthcare System is the fifth-largest public healthcare system in the country. It is a national leader in quality care and patient satisfaction and is ranked on Modern Healthcare magazine's list of Best Places to Work in Healthcare. Its facilities include Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Miramar, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial Manor nursing home. For more information, visit mhs.net.