Just before the NFL draft, Chad Greenway is sending a positive message to young football players. Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, announced Thursday that Greenway will donate $100,000 to help ill children.
A first-round draft pick in 2006, Greenway is native of Mt. Vernon, SD, and a starting linebacker for the Vikings entering his third season in 2008.
“This young man is still fairly new to the NFL, and he is already doing so much to give back to his region,” said Charles P. O’Brien, MD, President of Sanford Children’s Hospital. “This donation will make a significant impact in the lives of children battling illness and injury. On behalf of our patients and their families, I want to thank Chad for this tremendous gift.”
The announcement was formalized during a press conference at Winter Park. To honor the gift, Sanford Children Hospital will dedicate a room in its new pediatric intensive care unit to Greenway.
“I have witnessed the amazing care the Sanford Children’s team provides to patients and their families,” Greenway said. “Every time I tour the facility, I am touched by the strength of these children, and this is one way I can help them during a very difficult time.”
Greenway also announced a $15,000 donation to his hometown football team at Mt. Vernon High School to purchase new football uniforms. He also made a $5,000 donation to Mitchell High School in Mitchell, SD, to purchase wrestling uniforms.
About Sanford Children’s Hospital
A part of the Sanford Health system, Sanford Children’s Hospital provides the highest level of pediatric care in its region. Currently located within Sanford USD Medical Center, Sanford Children’s Hospital will move into a new, free-standing building in spring 2009. This new building will provide inpatient, outpatient and clinic services for pediatric patients and their families in a family-centered environment designed to meet the unique healing needs of children. A leader in children’s healthcare for nearly a century, Sanford Children’s will continue to revolutionize healthcare with this new facility. The new building will also serve as a home base for several new pediatric clinics to be built around the world in the next ten years.
Sanford Health’s comprehensive, integrated system includes nearly 370 physicians in 115 clinics, 23 hospitals, 13 nursing homes, 17 assisted living facilities and congregate living locations, 27 home health services and 19 pharmacies. With approximately 12,000 employees, Sanford Health is the largest employer in the region. Its primary 500-bed nonprofit tertiary care hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, serves an average of more than 30,000 inpatients annually. With more than a million outpatient visits each year, Sanford Health has served the 80,000-square mile, four-state region of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska for over 110 years. Sanford Health is the largest healthcare system between Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and Denver, CO. Its divisions include Sanford USD Medical Center, Sanford Clinic, Sanford Health Network, Sanford Health Plan and Sanford Health Foundation.