This is the power in joint philanthropy and is especially true for members of the Circle of Excellence, a young group of donors who support patient care projects at McLeod Health.

The Circle of Excellence is comprised of individuals and couples under age 45 who make a generous annual contribution of $500 or more to the McLeod Health Foundation.

These young leaders have found their common interest in healthcare is often motivated by personal experience.

“I joined the Circle of Excellence because I have been fortunate enough to receive excellent medical care my entire life,” said Meggie Baker, Co-Chair of the Circle of Excellence Executive Committee. “I want others who face life-changing illness to have access to exceptional care and services. This group enables me to have a voice in giving.”

Circle of Excellence members gather regularly to socialize and learn more about healthcare at McLeod. Each year, the membership reviews a list of high priority needs from McLeod Health and votes on how to award the funds they contribute.

Last year, the members learned about various funding needs for many McLeod Health programs. The group decided to commit a portion of their funds to impact several areas of McLeod Children’s Hospital, which benefit children and their families.

For Meggie, supporting the redesign of the Child Life Activity Center was especially meaningful.

“The Child Life Activity Center is a play area that provides hospitalized children a safe space to be a child even as they face a difficult diagnosis,” Meggie explained. “By adding more space tailored to specific needs, the center will foster warmth and well-being as the children work through their recoveries.”

Meggie speaks for her fellow Circle of Excellence members when she encourages other young people to join. Not only for the philanthropic aims, but also to “meet and interact with others who share similar interests, passions, and goals.” 

In 2019, Morgan and her husband, Josh, settled blissfully into family life with their new son, Ryan. Then, Josh began experiencing an unusual pain in his abdomen and back. The otherwise healthy 29-year-old teacher and football coach decided to consult his family physician Dr. Prakash Beeraka. Tests revealed frightening results.

Josh was diagnosed with a rare testicular cancer, which required immediate and aggressive treatment.

He was quickly referred to a team of physicians including Dr. Wayne Holley, Dr. Amy Murrell and Dr. Rajesh Bajaj.

As Josh experienced the side effects of chemotherapy, Morgan felt blessed that they had the ability to pay for his treatment as well as essential pain and nausea medications.

As a pharmacist working in the McLeod Cancer Center, Morgan knew this was not necessarily the case for all patients.

“I read the names of patients as their charts came across my desk each day, knowing that many had no insurance or the ability to pay for what they needed,” Morgan recalled. “It was such a great relief to know that the HOPE (Helping Oncology Patients Everyday) Fund was there to bridge that gap for them.”

In the midst of their journey, Morgan received a postcard in the mail from the McLeod Health Foundation about a new service available to donors: FreeWill.

FreeWill allows those who do not have a will to create one easily and for free. Morgan tucked the postcard away and vowed to come back to it later.

The following year, Morgan and Josh decided to create their will. Keeping with their desire to help others, they included the McLeod Foundation as a beneficiary.

“After walking through this cancer journey, we knew we needed a will, especially for our young son,” Morgan shared.

As Josh continues to recover, the young couple has returned to their focus on helping others. This year, they joined the McLeod Foundation’s young giving society, the Circle of Excellence, allowing them to give back to the hospital they love.