On May 16, 2012, 200 guests came out to support those in need at Bastyr University’s Annual Spring for Health Luncheon at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle. The event's proceeds will go toward defraying the cost of uncompensated care for low-income patients who visit the University’s teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, in Seattle.
Making sure everyone had access to quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay, was an important goal of our namesake Dr. John Bastyr. Bastyr Center continues to carry on this value and in 2011 alone provided $1.8 million worth of uncompensated care to medically underserved communities at its facility and at 21 community clinics serving Seattle/King County.
In addition to feeling good about doing something good for the community, guests were treated to an enlightening talk by distinguished Bastyr University alumni Peter Bongiorno, ND (’03), LAc, and Pina LoGiudice, ND (’03), LAc, who spoke about “Food as Nature’s Medicine.”
To honor what would have been Dr. Bastyr’s 100th Birthday (which fell on the same day), a giant birthday card was displayed at the luncheon for guests to sign and leave messages about how Dr. Bastyr touched their lives personally. Additionally, the Bastyr Book Journey kicked off on this same day. In the hands of alumni volunteers, a volume from Dr. Bastyr’s personal library started a journey from the campus and the clinic, made a stop at the luncheon and is now traveling down the West Coast to our new campus in San Diego. A network of Bastyr alumni will transport the book via multiple modes of transportation, reaching the new California campus for its grand opening on September 14, 2012.
Overall, this fundraiser/birthday party was a huge success, as the Spring for Health Luncheon had increased attendance (147 to 200 guests) and donations (almost $50,000 more) compared to last year. The total amount raised this year was nearly $100,000.
The event was once again emceed by respected KING-TV anchor Jean Enersen, a legend in local TV news.
If you would like to contribute to subsidizing the cost of uncompensated care, please go to the support page on our website.
