President's Message

From Alison Lewis

Alison Lewis, BOARD CHAIR

Dear WISH Members,

Mindfulness became a significant buzzword in 2024. It seemed to pop up everywhere – from the world of wellness to corporate environments to TikTok. Being intentional about living in the present moment and letting go of distractions is its basic definition. Without realizing I was part of a trend (#mindfulness), I felt focused on the moment so much more this past year, particularly during WISH activities and with my own self-care and personal growth. And what a gift that is to ourselves and those around us. To be in the moment while living in this fast-paced world.

I hope as many of you as possible were able to gift yourselves with a day devoted to new experiences – sound bowl healing, golf, guided meditation – and practicing mindfulness at our Breathe, Balance and Brunch: Women's Wellness Retreat 2024 in November. Maybe you even made some new friends or simply met other members of our organization in an informal setting. I certainly enjoyed myself and took home some tips for enhancing my life.

Meanwhile, intentionality was on full display during our annual WISH allocation event in December. This is the most significant way members can mutually impact the health and wellness of women and their families throughout our communities by taking part in this collaborative process and casting your vote. Our collectively-raised funds during 2024 were awarded to these three initiatives:

• • AI Patient Intelligence for Breast Cancer at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center 
  Award: $90,000

• • Disclosing Alzheimer’s Gene and Biomarker Test Results at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute 
  Award: $70,000

• • Data Management for Surgical Epilepsy Program 
  Award: $40,000

Please check out the upcoming events for 2025 with an open mind and heart. Perhaps you aren’t directly affected by schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, for example, but someone in your circle of acquaintances is – you may be able to share what you learn or, at least, understand these challenging diagnoses better. Or, learning how to identify the signs of a stroke may become lifesaving down the road when “time is brain” (for every minute that passes while someone is having a stroke, 1.9 million brain cells are lost). Mark your calendars; be involved. Give that gift to yourselves.

At any time throughout the year, reach out to me or other Board members. I hope to see you all at the upcoming events.

Thank you for your continued involvement, enthusiasm and dedication to WISH.

Sincerely,
Alison Lewis

Alison is a philanthropist, focused on education and the arts. She is also involved with nonprofit organizations that are innovative and serve a diverse audience with an emphasis on the underserved. Additionally, she manages two family foundations, is the Past Board Chair for Scottsdale Arts, Vice-Chair for the C4 Foundation which supports active Navy SEALS and their families, and a board member of the Banner Health Foundation.

Introducing: Good to know

Short teaching videos, snippets of useful information and what’s trending now in women’s health

Don’t ignore your pelvic floor

Pelvic floor exercise is clearly established as appropriate first line treatment for stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. The effectiveness of exercise relates to the degree of motor unit recruitment achieved during exercise. To date the Kegel exercise has been the most common recommendation for pelvic floor conditioning and rehabilitation. However, the video link below – recommended by a Banner physician – will teach you five exercises better than the Kegel.

Banner Health enjoyed a busy and productive 2024

Check out a timeline of last year’s strategic growth

» View the timeline

Jerre Stead’s second opinion story featured on Fox10

As many of us have come to know, few things can slow down Jerre Stead, Jerre Stead, Chairman of the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation. A runner for 50 years, Jerre wasn’t prepared for his active lifestyle to be interrupted with hiatal hernia. His first emergency surgery led to a second after he experienced complications.

In June, doctors had to insert feeding tubes, which were supposed to stay in place for about six months. One month later, Jerre said it felt like “forever.” He was encouraged to get a second opinion at Banner.

After several tests, Jennifer Preston, MD, general surgery program director at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, let Jerre know that she could do the surgery. In September she repaired the hernia and removed the feeding tube.

Jerre’s final follow-up visit with Dr. Preston took place a few weeks before Christmas, when he was officially cleared to eat regular meals with his family.

Jerre was especially grateful for the timing. “You don’t realize how good food tastes until you don’t have it,” he shares. “Wow, this is great.”

» Watch his story

Why am I so tired?

Danielle Nance, MD, of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center talks iron deficiency with USA Today

From the outset, correcting an iron deficiency may seem small, but it can make a world of a difference in helping you feel empowered and in control of your health. Restoring iron to your body can help relieve depression, reduce migraines, improve stamina and boost energy.

Virtually every cell in the body requires iron in order to function well. Iron is involved in key bodily processes, including the transportation of oxygen in the blood. It also plays a central role in building energy and proteins, and it can be found in your red blood cells, bone marrow, muscles and the brain.

» Read the full article here

From Banner Health’s blog: How what you eat affects your ears, nose and throat health

You may know that what you eat affects your overall health, but did you know it can also influence your ear, nose and throat (ENT) health?

“What you eat and drink can affect ear, nose and throat health positively and negatively,” said Alexandra Lessem, a family nurse practitioner with Banner Health. Some things you consume can worsen issues, while others can support and protect your health

Read on to understand how what you eat and drink impacts your ENT health and explore the best (and worst) foods for this often-overlooked part of your body.

TUNE-IN ALERT!

Banner MD Anderson to be featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Feb. 13 and 20

Construction of a new Wellness Center in the Home Away from Home patient housing community next to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center will air as the two-part season finale of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Feb. 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. MST on your local ABC affiliate (next day on Hulu). Production came to Gilbert in September to film the round-the-clock, five-day construction and opening of the Wellness Center, which augments the community of eight private homes generously built, furnished, and donated to the Banner Health Foundation by Scottsdale-based homebuilder Taylor Morrison, the official construction partner of this season of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Open since June 2024, the homes can house more than 100 qualifying patients and their care partners each year who travel to the Valley for treatment at Banner MD Anderson—giving them a free, comfortable, safe place to rest and heal during their cancer journey. The Wellness Center gives residents a place to gather, cook and share meals, play games, watch movies, read, and build camaraderie with those on a similar journey through cancer.

The Banner Health Foundation is building a permanent endowment to provide enduring support for the Home Away from Home program. Those interested can give securely online now.