Q. What is the Community Health Foundation?
A. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Langlade County. With the Radiation Care Center, both radiation and chemotherapy will be provided locally and patients will have all diagnostic and treatment options available in Antigo. It will increase the Hospital's capacity and ability to treat many forms of cancer. In addition, the Radiation Care Center is an investment that will benefit the community now and into the future. Economic benefits will accrue as a result of successful completion of the project. Communities with up-to-date medical facilities are viewed favorably by businesses. Langlade Memorial Hospital has more than 350 employees; they live, work and shop in the local area, providing added economic benefit. The presence of the Hospital and the expansion of its services attract qualified physicians and other trained medical personnel to the area, thus improving the economic climate as well as providing needed services.

Q. What is the purpose of the Community Health Foundation “Hope and Healing Closer to Home” Capital Campaign?
A. The Community Health Foundation is the sponsoring organization for the “Hope and Healing Closer to Home” capital campaign, a community endeavor to raise $1,300,000 toward the project that will create a Radiation Care Center at Langlade Memorial Hospital. This is another example of the Hospital’s continuing efforts to meet the latest standards in healthcare and technology, to provide ease of access for patients and, above all, strengthen the quality of care

Q. What is Langlade Memorial Hospital?
A. Langlade Memorial Hospital opened in 1933 and is a mainstay of the region. It offers a full range of services and is a 25-bed critical access, Joint Commission-accredited Catholic hospital serving a population of approximately 26,000 people. At present, there are 32 active and 38 consulting medical staff members plus a well-trained staff of nurses, technicians and other medical and support personnel. The Hospital admits 1,500 inpatients annually, and performs more than 34,000 outpatient procedures and about 1,500 surgical procedures annually. The Emergency Department treats over 11,000 patients each year and has full-time emergency physicians available on site 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. The Walk-in Clinic, opened in 1999, averages about 600 visits per month. The Hospital has financially performed above the state and national averages for rural hospitals and is extremely well-equipped diagnostically. Langlade Memorial Hospital is a progressive and trusted healthcare leader dedicated to improving the health of all those it serves and to providing excellent, compassionate and cost effective care.

Q. Why is this project necessary?
A. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Langlade County. Advancements in diagnostic capabilities mean that cancer is often diagnosed sooner. Early detection and treatment of cancer is vital to the quality of life for those living in the Antigo area. The development of comprehensive cancer services at Lanlade Memorial Hospital is of great importance to the people we serve. Langlade Memorial Hospital currently operates a cancer center in the St. Joseph's Outpatient Center adjacent to the hospital. Chemotherapy and diagnostic services are provided at the Hospital on a full time basis - a convenience to patients and their families and friends. There were more than 3,200 patient visits to Langlade Memorial Hospital cancer center in 2006. Approximately 50% of people diagnosed with cancer will have radiation prescribed as part of their treatment. Cancer patients may require up to eight weeks of continuing radiation therapy. Radiation therapy treatments require that Langlade Memorial Hospital patients must travel to outpatient therapy sites outside Antigo. This may require at least a 45-minute or longer drive several times a week for the duration of the therapy - a considerable hardship for cancer patients and whoever is providing their transportation. Some patients have declined radiation therapy because the required travel posed a substantial burden for them.

Q. How was the decision made to develop this project?
A. Our patients have told us they would like to see essential medical diagnostic treatment services available locally. Nationwide, studies indicate the need for local comprehensive services. The Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph and Langlade Memorial Hospital are committed to serving the health needs of the people in the Langlade County area. They have maintained this tradition of commitment throughout the history of the Hospital. To affirm this commitment in 2007 and to respond to the local need for a broad range of cancer diagnostic and treatment services, after extensive research and planning, the Sisters and the Langlade Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees have authorized the development of a new Radiation Care Center on the Hospital's campus.

Q. What is the cost of this project?
A. The cost of this project, including the new building, remodeling of the related existing space and the new equipment, is estimated at $3.6 million. The cost estimate includes approximately $2.4 million in construction and remodeling costs to develop the facility; an additional $750,000 for acquisition and installation of the linear accelerator; and $450,000 for medical equipment, patient support equipment, computers and related technology, support staff work stations, and furnishings.

Q. Can Langlade Memorial Hospital afford to do this?
A.Yes. The Community Health Foundation has accepted the challenge to raise $1.3 million toward the cost of the project. The remainder of the project will be financed through the use of funds from the Langlade Memorial Hospital cash reserves and, only if necessary, through commercial borrowing.

Q. Why should our communities support the Community Health Foundation Capital Campaign?
A. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Langlade County. With the Radiation Care Center, both radiation and chemotherapy will be provided locally and patients will have all diagnostic and treatment options available in Antigo. It will increase the Hospital's capacity and ability to treat many forms of cancer. In addition, the Radiation Care Center is an investment that will benefit the community now and into the future. Economic benefits will accrue as a result of successful completion of the project. Communities with up-to-date medical facilities are viewed favorably by businesses. Langlade Memorial Hospital has more than 350 employees; they live, work and shop in the local area, providing added economic benefit. The presence of the Hospital and the expansion of its services attract qualified physicians and other trained medical personnel to the area, thus improving the economic climate as well as providing needed services.

Q. Who will solicit?
A. Volunteers from the whole of the Langlade Memorial Hospital service area will make personal calls to secure gifts and pledges. All solicitors will have made their own contributions before asking others to do so.

Q. Who will be asked to contribute to the Community Health Foundation Capital Campaign?
A. The Board of Trustees of Langlade Memorial Hospital and the Community Health Foundation were the first to be asked to support the campaign financially. Medical staff and employees were also asked to support the campaign. The Community Health Foundation is seeking the area-wide support of industry, corporations, businesses, financial institutions, foundations, organizations, and Hospital and Foundation supporters.

Q. Are gifts tax deductible?
A.Yes. The Community Health Foundation is incorporated in the state of Wisconsin as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The state of Wisconsin and the federal government encourage voluntary support of these organizations through liberal deduction allowances. All gifts to the campaign are tax deductible within the regulations of state and federal laws. All donations designated for this project will be held in a segregated account and will be applied only to costs associated with this project.

Q. How will gifts to the campaign be recognized?
A. Donors will be recognized through publicity, publications, and designated giving opportunities. A list of donors will be published when the campaign is completed. Donors' names will also appear in press releases announcing the successful completion of the campaign. Although the Community Health Foundation encourages donors to accept public acknowledgment of their gifts, we will respect the wishes of those who choose to remain anonymous.

Q. Why a three-to-five year pledge period?
A. The goal of $1.3 million is too high to be reached with out-of-pocket cash gifts. With a three-to-fiveyear pledge period, donors will be able to maximize their generosity to the campaign. Donors can also benefit from income tax laws written to encourage gifts to nonprofit institutions like the Community Health Foundation over a multi-year period.

Q. How much should I give?
A. Only you can answer that question. We ask that you consider the importance of having the Radiation Care Center and comprehensive cancer treatment closer to home for you and your family. With your generous support, Langlade Memorial Hospital will be able to continue providing life-enhancing services for our communities well into the future.

Q. Are gifts other than cash accepted?
A.Yes. The campaign will accept gifts of stocks, bonds, insurance policies, real estate, personal property, grain, livestock, works of art, or any item that can be converted to cash. Mastercard and Visa payments are also accepted. In light of changes in tax law, donors are advised to consult their tax advisors in order to achieve the maximum tax benefits for their gifts.

Q. When do pledge payments begin?
A. The Community Health Foundation appreciates donors beginning their pledge payments as soon as convenient for them; the exact date, however, is up to you. You may indicate your preference on the pledge card.

Q. In the event of my death, is my pledge binding on my estate?
A. Your pledge to the Community Health Foundation “Hope and Healing Closer to Home” campaign is binding only if your personal representative elects it to be. Many donors consider creating a trust or making a bequest in their wills to fulfill their intentions toward the Foundation

Q. To whom do I make my check payable?
A. Please make your check payable to the Community Health Foundation Capital Campaign.

Q. May I volunteer to help on this campaign?
A. By all means. The campaign is staffed by volunteers. We need and will appreciate your help. Please call Betsy Kommers, Marketing & Fund Development Coordinator, at 715-623-9455, to discuss how you can become involved.