Community
May 21, 2019
Third Grader ‘Braves the Shave’ to Raise Money for Pediatric Cancer Research
By In the Loop 
For the third straight year, young Sophie Vanderheiden shaved her head to raise awareness, and money, for childhood cancer research during the annual St. Baldrick’s head shaving event.
Tags: Amanda Vanderheiden, Cancer, Mayo Clinic Children's Center, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, pediatrics
May 7, 2019
Hospice Volunteers Bring Sunshine Through Service to Patients
By In the Loop
Tom and Pat Purcell felt they had been given a gift when a family member survived a cancer diagnosis. The couple decided to give back by caring for others when they need it most.
Tags: Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Mayo Clinic Hospice Program, volunteers
April 30, 2019
Cy’s Place: After Tragedy, Couple Opens Home to Families of Pediatric Patients
By In the Loop
Randy and Ree Erickson lost their son Silas to cancer in 2007, but his memory lives on in the way they live their lives: supporting families of children facing significant medical challenges.
Tags: Cy's Place, Dr Jonathan Johnson, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Neuroblastoma, pediatrics, transplant
April 25, 2019
Walk of Remembrance Honors Organ Donors
By In the Loop
Caren Shank was her late husband Steve’s caregiver, supporter, and partner in raising awareness about causes he cared about, including organ donation. Even after his death, her dedication continues.
Tags: Ascending Aortic Aneurysm, Gift of Life Transplant House, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, Kari Koens, LifeSource, Lung Transplant, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center, National Donate Life Month, Saint Marys Campus, Steve Shank, Tim Rasmusson
April 23, 2019
Doctor Becomes Dancer to Raise Funds for Patients
By In the Loop
By day, Dr. Harini Chakkera is a transplant nephrologist and chair of the Division of Nephrology at Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus. But by night — for one night and a good cause, at least — she was a dancer.
Tags: Dancing with the Stars Arizona, Division of Nephrology, Dr. Harini Chakkera, Mayo Clinic in Arizona
March 26, 2019
Doctors Don Dancing Shoes to Raise Funds for Arts Education
By In the Loop
Mayo Clinic physicians Stacey Rizza, M.D., and Mark Pagnano, M.D., will be stepping out of their comfort zones and onto the dance floor April 13 to raise money for youth arts education.
Tags: Dancing for the Arts, Dr. Mark Pagnano, Dr. Stacey Rizza
March 14, 2019
Local Orthodontist Builds ‘Johnny Cars’ of Hope for Pediatric Heart Patients
By In the Loop
A Facebook post gave John Lawson the idea to build toy cars for children, but his inspiration comes from his friend Dr. Joseph Dearani’s pediatric patients at Mayo Clinic.
Tags: Cardiovascular Surgery, Dr. Joseph Dearani, pediatrics
March 12, 2019
Final Cabin Fever Beanbag Tourney Could Be Biggest for Organizers (and Mayo Clinic)
By In the Loop
Organizers of the final Cabin Fever Beanbag Tournament hope it will be the most memorable as they attempt to break the record for money raised in one day to support cancer research at Mayo.
Tags: cancer research, Eagles Cancer Telethon, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Steve Gage
March 7, 2019
Restored Carillon Means the Sound of Music Returns to Downtown Rochester
By In the Loop
The five-month restoration of the Plummer Building’s carillon is now complete, which means Mayo Clinic carillonneur Austin Ferguson can get back to making music.
Tags: Austin Ferguson, carillon, History & Heritage, Mayo Clinic in Rochester
March 5, 2019
Pastor Vern Returns to Work After Traumatic Brain Injury
By In the Loop
An offer to help a friend turned into a trip to the emergency department for Pastor Vern Christopherson, who has made a remarkable recovery thanks to prayer, community and a dedicated care team.
Tags: Ann Leland, Emergency Department, Trauma Center, Traumatic brain injury