Proceeds from the campaign will go toward supporting a variety of capital needs that are a part of the health services ministry provided by St. Joseph Health System, the only not-for-profit health system serving the Brazos Valley. The last capital campaign held by the SJRHC was more than 18 years ago in 1985.

Funds from the new campaign will help equip the new 4-story Patient Tower and expand cancer and cardiac services at SJRHC, while other funds are dedicated to improvements in the Emergency Rooms of rural hospitals in Caldwell and Navasota and enhancements in services in the rural hospital in Madisonville and long term care facilities in Bryan and Caldwell.

Announced as “The Promise Campaign,” the capital drive set a base goal of $5 million and a challenge goal of $7.5 million in local contributions. To date more than $3.4 million has been raised in the campaign through a series of gifts from individuals, regional events, and as a pledge drive among the staff of the Health System.

In June the Promise Campaign received a cornerstone gift from the family of J.C. Lee, M.D., longtime pathologist practicing at St. Joseph Regional and an energetic community leader. Family, friends, and physician colleagues attended a ceremony at St. Joseph Cancer Center to unveil the new name of the main building of as the J.C. Lee, M.D. Pavilion. Dr. Lee’s wife, Sue, explained that her husband cherished his relationship with St. Joseph Regional Health Center and felt he received outstanding care from the physicians and staff of the cancer center during his battle with cancer.

In August the campaign received another significant gift when St. Joseph Health System dedicated an office building in honor of Johnny and Bonnie Lampo – the same office building in which Mr. Lampo ran his successful food service business from for more than 14 years. Family members gathered for the dedication of the St. Joseph Lampo building at 1530 East William Joe Bryan in Bryan. The building, a gift to St. Joseph Regional Health Center by the Lampos, now houses the St. Joseph Foundation and the St. Joseph Communication offices.

In July Burleson St. Joseph Health Center in held their second annual fundraiser, called “Celebrating America,” for the rural hospital in Caldwell, raising more than $111,000 toward and ongoing renovation and expansion of their Emergency Services Department.

Over the summer, the employees of St. Joseph Health System participated in a Team Member drive in support of the Promise Campaign and pledged more than $437,000 toward the capital campaign, the largest employee contribution ever recorded by the health system.

In October Grimes St. Joseph Health Center in Navasota held a benefit fundraiser to honor longtime local surgeon Leonard Coleman, M. D. The sold-out event raised more than $108,000 to help with the renovation and expansion of the Emergency Room at Grimes St. Joseph Health Center.

With the public kickoff, the Promise Campaign will now move into a phase where information and other materials will be shared with the general public as a part of broadening support for the campaign. Community volunteers will chair a variety of campaign committees over the course of the two-year campaign projected to end in early 2005. To make a contribution or get information about the campaign, please contact St. Joseph Foundation at (979) 774-4087.