Donors Like You

Read about donors who are advancing excellent care in our community and beyond.

Barbara Stephanus

Investing in the future of medicine

BARBARA STEPHANUS

Barbara Stephanus and her beloved husband, Paul, did everything together. Their eyes met from across the room at a real estate dinner, and within months they were engaged. Married for more than 60 years, they built a life and a property investment business together. When Paul passed away in 2016, Barbara found new purpose in life by supporting medical research.

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She sees a future where many patients can avoid invasive surgeries and long recoveries with the help of regenerative treatments like stem cells. As the recipient of one and a half knee replacements, the 91-year-old wants to help find new treatments that will help fellow sufferers of arthritis. That’s where physician researcher Adam Pourcho, D.O., comes in.

Dr. Pourcho is pioneering noninvasive treatments for arthritis and other painful, life-style-limiting conditions that take advantage of the body’s healing powers. Using a patient’s plasma and stem cells, he prepares injections to slow the disease progression in knees, wrists and ankles. With Barbara’s philanthropic support, Dr. Pourcho has the equipment he needs to conduct trials and perfect his techniques. And as Dr. Pourcho publishes his work, he is able to build a stronger case for federal grants in the future.

Barbara is proud that her and Paul’s shared life’s work has given her the means to invest in the future of medicine. “It makes me feel like I was put on this earth for a reason,” she says. “It’s an awfully good feeling to know that you might’ve made a little difference in the world.”

Joined at the kidney

TOM AND MARY JANE LUNDSGAARD
Stellar Club members invest in organ transplant research

You can call them “team Lundsgaard,” because they’ve been inseparable since junior high. Today, more than six decades later, the couple still does everything together—and their love is just as strong as ever.

Over the years, the Lundsgaards have created a colorful tapestry of their life together, from running asuccessful business to becoming wine connoisseurs to taking up motorcycle riding and snow skiing.The two love to entertain and spend hours boating. They’ve traveled around the world a couple of times, and have plans to do more of the same.

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Especially now that Tom’s been given a second chance—thanks to you.

Twelve years into managing kidney disease with medication, it became apparent that Tom needed a new kidney. Mary Jane never hesitated to offer one of hers. She went through six months of testing,first to match blood type and later to measure the size of her kidney to ensure it was the right fit.

In their quest to find the best care and at the recommendation of friends, they turned to Swedish. Tom recalled that his aunt had received lifesaving treatment for her colon cancer here years ago.

Their surgery went like clockwork.

“On a scale of zero to 10, I would give Swedish a 12,” shares Mary Jane.

Tom agrees. “The care at the transplant center was the best I’ve ever seen. It’s in a class of its own.The personal attention is unbelievable, and the excellent surgeons go above and beyond.”

Of her own surgery and recovery, Mary Jane says it was a piece of cake: “I was out of the hospital in three days and living an absolutely normal life in five.” 

She is also quick to share her story with other potential kidney donors who might be apprehensive. “I tell them not to hesitate. There’s really no recovery time.” 

Through it all, it’s the outstanding care they received that inspired the couple to make a philanthropic gift to Swedish through their trust. “The team at the hospital gave so much—as far as I’m concerned they saved me—and we wanted to give back,” Tom says. 

Both Tom and Mary Jane believe that the root of innovative medicine is research. So they dedicated a majority of their gift to accelerate organ transplant research and, in turn, support advancements in care for all. 

“If everybody gave, that would be wonderful, because it adds up to great care for our entire community,” continues Tom. 

Because of that extraordinary care, Tom and Mary Jane are leading healthy lives today and are able to enjoy doing the thing they love the most: being team Lundsgaard. 

Still playing the hand she was dealt

JUDY KING
Judy King has long enjoyed playing bridge with her friends. But in Jan 2019, she suffered a stroke that led to weakness and coordination problems in her right hand and leg. She could no longer drive or even pick up a deck of cards, and was facing a future without her regular bridge group or her other hobby: traveling the world.

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With the help of physical and occupational therapists at Swedish Cherry Hill, Judy practiced her fine motor skills for hours on end, picking beads out of putty and folding origami. “My caregivers were as upbeat as can be,” she says. “And you need upbeat people when you’re faced with not being able to do the things you used to be able to do.”

Within a week of being transferred to Swedish Cherry Hill, Judy had fully recovered and was back to shuffling cards like a pro.

She was so grateful for the caregivers who helped her get back to the things she loved most that she started making gifts through a donor advised fund to the Swedish Fund for Excellence. Judy knows her support gives our leadership team the flexibility to invest in priorities that will have an immediate impact on patient care.

“I feel very fortunate in my life, and I know there are a lot of people who need top-notch care,” she says.

And Judy has one more reason to be thankful: After getting her COVID-19 vaccine at the Swedish Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Seattle University, she’s looking forward to seeing her vaccinated friends in person and getting back to her usual bridge games thanks to Swedish.

My gift will help others survive

BRUCE AND LYNN ERFER
Stellar Club membersInvest in continuing nurse education and the Fund for Excellence

A tiny spot in his cheek. That’s all it was. An initial biopsy showed no malignancy. But then over time, the spot started causing real pain.

A biopsy later revealed what Bruce Erfer never thought he’d hear: “This is cancer.”

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The diagnosis? Squamous cell carcinoma of the right mandible, or jaw cancer. And just like any of us, he wanted the best possible care and the best possible chance to beat a deadly disease.

Bruce and Lynn, his wife of four decades, were long-time residents of Hawaii before relocating last year to Lacey, Wash., just months before his cancer was discovered. The move turned out to be a blessing on several fronts. For one, it put Bruce in close proximity to Swedish and the extraordinary treatment that saved his life.

After undergoing extensive surgery to remove the cancerous mass in his jaw—requiring bone to be taken from his lower leg to be used for his facial reconstruction—Bruce spent eight nights with us, four of them in our intensive care unit.

“Everything was fantastic. I was amazed at the quality of care and true concern I received,” says Bruce. “What was really important to me was being able to talk to the nurses, physical therapists and assistants on a personal level. It brought us together, and it meant everything.”

That’s what inspired Bruce and Lynn to make a gift through their will earmarked for the greatest needs of Swedish, followed by a cash distribution from their IRA to support nurse education.

“I was deeply struck by how well the nurses cared for me—and overwhelmed by the fact that my surgeon and his team saved my life. I’d never been in a situation like this, and had never given any thought to facing such a difficult health challenge,” confides Bruce.

Giving back is something Bruce feels extremely proud about, and so should you whenever you invest in the best possible medicine for our community.

“Until I received life saving treatment at Swedish, I had no idea that charitable support played such a big part in the hospital’s ability to provide outstanding care. You want the best and you get it at Swedish.”

Since Bruce’s surgery, things have returned to normal. He’s back to enjoying hours spent on yardwork—one of his favorite activities. He considers it his physical therapy. But Bruce’s main passion is golf. “I plan to start practicing on the course again soon. I may be 70, but I don’t doubt that I’m a pretty good golfer,” he quips.

“It’s rewarding to know that you’re doing something to help.”

 

-Carol Westlund

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