The Breast Center Built by Philanthropy

HEARTFELT DONATIONS, LARGE AND SMALL, ARE MAKING THE CAROL ANN READ BREAST HEALTH CENTER POSSIBLE

If the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center is a dream come to life for Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, the more than $12.5 million project was made possible because of the efforts of so many working with the Alta Bates Summit Foundation. “It’s the largest single-focus effort we’ve undertaken,” says cochair Sylvia Carter. “Simply put, this new Breast Health Center would not be in existence without philanthropy.”

Generous donors played a key role from the start—when the dream was little more than a kernel of an idea among a few visionaries, including Lisa Bailey, M.D., and Ira Kanter, M.D., who ultimately became the center’s medical director and associate director, respectively. “The strategic plan for the center was made possible because of the early support of the Peter Read family,” says Sylvia. “Carol Ann Read, Peter’s wife and the center’s namesake, lost her life to breast cancer, and the family’s generosity allowed us to dream of what a comprehensive center in the East Bay could become.”

Once the Reads got the ball rolling, donors met the challenge of raising more than $9.5 million, which constituted the majority of the additional needed funds. A number of volunteer groups within the Medical Center family, as well as employees, physicians, and medical groups, made exceptionally generous gifts to the center.

Over the course of the campaign, other East Bay organizations joined the cause. Sylvia added, “Many community groups designated the Breast Health Center as their charity of choice, such as the Orinda Pink Ribbon Golf Tournament, and we’ve forged collaborations with other groups, such as the Friends of Faith, the Orinda Woods Tennis Club (whose annual tennis tournament has raised close to $100,000), and the Orinda Country Club (which has raised close to $250,000).

“We’ve also had wonderful support from foundations,” she explains, “including the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation and the HEDCO Foundation, whose generous grants enabled us to buy four digital mammography machines.”

The center’s launch and promising future send a powerful message, Sylvia concludes. “Clearly, this community recognizes the need for excellent health care right here in the East Bay, and is willing to make that a reality. Our donors can take satisfaction in knowing that they’ve made an impact on the lives of countless women. Everyone is very proud of this project, and they should be.”