Avera Foundation

11/14/2025

It’s chili season! The 16th Annual, Avera Behavioral Health Chili Cook-off, Bake Sale and Basket Raffle is on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Behavior Health Hospital in Sioux Falls.

For just $6, you can get your fill of chili, soup and desserts, all made by Avera employees. The event also includes a delicious bake sale and basket raffle with more than two dozen items to win. Proceeds benefit local non-profits committed to supporting mental and behavioral health.

To register for and purchase raffle items, visit https://qtego.us/qlink/chilicookoff

11/13/2025

Thank You to Ag Plus Cooperative!

We are so grateful to Ag Plus Cooperative for their generous support of our October Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. Through their Fuel Gallons Pumped promotion, they raised $1,056 to help provide vital resources and support for cancer patients.

Your partnership makes a real difference—we couldn’t do what we do without you!

Today, we had the honor of presenting a check for $1,056 to the Avera Foundation at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center as part of our October Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. 💗

Through our fuel gallons pumped promotion, we’re proud to help support cancer patients within a 60-mile radius of Avera Marshall.

A heartfelt thank-you to all our customers who fueled up and made this donation possible. Together, we’re driving change and supporting those who need it most in our community. 🚗

11/13/2025

Thank you to Runnings in Marshall!

Your generosity helps provide care close to home for those who need it most. Runnings truly goes above and beyond in supporting the community, and we’re so grateful for your efforts.

Thank you for making a difference!

We’re so thankful for the generosity and community spirit of our local Runnings team! Their recent donation to the Avera Foundation will support local cancer care close to home. Funds were raised through fun employee engagement activities — what a great way to give back! We’re grateful they chose to support our work and the patients who receive care with us. Thanks to Sara and Jessica for stopping by to drop off this gift with Meredith Hyatt, Regional Director of Philanthropy, and Rachel Farrell, Manager, Avera Cancer Institute in Marshall.

11/13/2025

Step into a night of Italian enchantment as we transform Mitchell into a Tuscan dream.

This is more than a gala—it’s an evening of heartfelt connection, inspired generosity, and timeless beauty. Your presence supports Avera Queen of Peace Hospital and the Impact Fund, helping us bring hope, healing, and compassionate care to patients and families in our community.

Purchase Early Bird tickets now at https://donate.averafoundation.org/event/queen-of-peace-gala/e729793

11/12/2025

Thank You, Très-Chic!

We are so grateful to Cassie and the amazing team at -Chic Salon and Spa in Aberdeen for their continued support of our We Care Pink Hair October breast cancer awareness promotion! 💗

Many of the individuals who received their extensions at Très-Chic are breast cancer survivors, making this initiative even more meaningful. This year, funds received will go toward the wish list for the new wig room at Avera St. Luke's.

Your dedication year after year makes a real difference for patients receiving care at the Avera Cancer Center. Because of partners like you, we can spread awareness and provide hope and comfort to those who need it most.

Thank you for standing with us in the fight against breast cancer!

11/11/2025

A huge thank you to the Marshall Tigers football team for rallying together to support local families facing cancer! Your strength and generosity make a real difference in your community. 💛

We also want to recognize Mary Fischer, a member of the Avera and Access Health family who is receiving care at the Avera Cancer Institute in Marshall, for her incredible selflessness in passing the donation on. Her generosity, as well as the generosity of friends and family of the Marshall Tigers, will help others receive care close to home—what an inspiring act of kindness!

Together, we are stronger. 💪

Each fall, Marshall Tigers High School Football goes beyond the sport of football with their Tackle Cancer Night — raising awareness and dollars -- rallying together to support local families facing cancer. This year, one of the people the team chose to support was Mary Fischer, a member of our Avera and Access Health family who is receiving care at the Avera Cancer Institute in Marshall. Senior players made a special visit to Mary’s home to deliver a portion of the dollars that were raised along with a heartfelt card sharing the team’s encouragement.

In an act of kindness, Mary chose to pay it forward — donating the funds to the Avera Foundation to help ensure others can receive the care they need, close to home. She and Meredith Hyatt, Regional Director of Philanthropy, visited the team after practice on Monday to share their thanks. Thank you to Mary and to the Marshall Tigers for showing what teamwork, character and community spirit look like — both on and off the field. 🏈💗

Best of luck to the Tigers as they start state tournament play tonight! Go, Tigers!

11/10/2025

Thank You, Lakeview Cheerleaders!

We are incredibly grateful to the amazing cheerleaders at Lakeview School and the supportive Cottonwood community for their heartfelt efforts in raising awareness and funds for We Care Pink Hair.

💗 Through their energy, spirit, and dedication, the cheerleaders raised an inspiring $513 to help make a difference in the lives of those facing cancer in our community. Your generosity and compassion truly shine!

The Lakeview Cheerleaders raised $513 for the Avera Cancer Institute through the We Care, Pink Hair program.

11/10/2025

🌟 Congratulations to our very own Dan Cook! 🌟

We are thrilled to share that Dan has been named the 2025 South Dakota AFP Outstanding Fundraising Professional!

Dan, your unwavering dedication to lifting others up and championing meaningful causes is truly inspiring. Thank you for being a shining example of what it means to give back with purpose and compassion.

Please join us in celebrating Dan and this incredible achievement!

🎉 Surprise Recognition for a True Philanthropic Leader! 🎉
Please join us in congratulating Dan Cook on being named the 2025 South Dakota AFP Outstanding Fundraising Professional — a well-deserved honor that came as a surprise to Dan!

For over three decades, Dan has been a guiding force in advancing philanthropy at Avera Health and throughout our region. Since 1992, he has dedicated 12,113 days to ensuring that generosity fuels Avera’s mission — raising over $100 million for transformative initiatives like the Dougherty Hospice House, Avera Cancer Institute, and the NICU Campaign.

As Vice President of Operations, Dan has stewarded millions in gifts with compassion, hospitality, and integrity. His mentorship has shaped countless careers, and his commitment to ethical fundraising has set a gold standard in healthcare philanthropy.

Dan, your legacy of generosity, leadership, and compassion will echo across Avera’s 72,000-square-mile ministry of care for years to come. Congratulations to you and your wife, Sheryce, for a lifetime of impact! 💚👏
https://community.afpnet.org/afpsdsouthdakotachapter/npd48/content168

11/07/2025

🌟 Community Spotlight 🌟

We’re sending a huge thank you to Bloom Studio and owner Terra Lingemann for their incredible generosity! 💐

A couple of weeks ago, Bloom Studio hosted a Fall Mixer, and we’re thrilled to share that $1,000 from the event proceeds were donated to the Avera Cancer Institute! 🎉
Terra is pictured here with her three amazing kids, who were a big help during the event — a true family effort in giving back to the community. 💛

We’re so grateful for local businesses like Bloom Studio that go above and beyond to support our mission. Thank you for making a difference!

11/04/2025

🎗️ Thank You, Motiv Fitness! 🚴‍♀️🧗‍♂️

We are incredibly grateful to for their generous support through the 6th Annual Ride X Climb for the Cure event! Thanks to their dedication and the amazing community that rallied behind them, $2,023 was raised to support Avera breast cancer patients and their families. 💗

Your commitment to making a difference brings hope and healing to so many. Thank you for climbing, riding, and caring alongside us. Together, we are stronger in the fight against cancer! 💪🎀

11/03/2025

Last week, Avera Foundation Philanthropy Officer Emma Chicoine and Joleen Thompson, Director of Services at the Family Visitation Center, had the honor of attending the 44th Annual South Dakota Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner & Children's Charity Fundraiser.

This incredible event celebrates the brave men and women who keep our communities safe while raising funds for children’s charities.

We’re thrilled to share that the Family Visitation Center received a generous $5,000 donation! 💛 This support helps us continue providing safe, supportive environments for families in need.

Thank you to all who made this event possible—and to our law enforcement heroes for all you do! 🙌