A family having to choose between traveling several hundred miles for critical medical care for their child and paying their electrical bill for the month. An out-of-town cancer patient unsure where they’ll stay during weeks of daily treatment. The nurse who takes care of those patients unexpectedly having to take time off to recover from emergency surgery and worrying about paying rent for the month.
These are all things that people receiving and providing health care may run into. There are times when everybody needs a little help, and the 2020 Billings Clinic Classic is raising money to make sure that support is readily available to the patients and employees of Billings Clinic when they need it.
All of the funds raised will go toward Billings Clinic assistance programs, which help families, patients and employees in times of crisis.
“This year’s Classic celebrates the importance of health care in our community while honoring our health care workers,” said Josh Hedge, who, along with his wife, Katie, is chairing this year’s Classic. “We want to recognize the entire community for the remarkable support provided throughout this season. Funds raised will give a hand up to families when they need it most through Billings Clinic’s assistance programs.”
Support for these vital funds allows social workers and care managers at Billings Clinic to provide immediate financial relief to help families and individuals during difficult times as they work on long-term solutions. Funds benefitting from this year’s Classic include:
- Kelker’s Kids and Piggy Bank – These funds help families of children battling cancer and other serious blood disorders and pediatric patients facing life-altering illnesses or diseases.
- Patient Family Lodging – Many patients at Billings Clinic must travel long distances for care, and some of those patients and their families may need to stay in Billings for an extended time. These funds help those patients and families with the cost of lodging.
- Patient Assistance – This can be used to provide any patient or family with immediate financial assistance on short notice. Patient Assistance funds help to provide essentials such as groceries, gas cards, utility payments or rent assistance.
- Employee Crisis – The Employee Crisis Fund helps Billings Clinic employees during hard times, allowing them to support themselves and their families.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of helping out our loved ones, our neighbors and communities,” said Katie Hedge. “Supporting these programs at Billings Clinic is a way that all of us can do that, and it makes a very real difference. It gives comfort and aid to people when they truly need it.”
The theme of this year’s fundraiser is Classic Spotlight, to shine a light on the vital role health care plays in our community. The health and well-being of attendees, the community and the region are the highest priority and as we have adapted our daily lives to COVID-19, the 2020 Classic has also adapted. This year – in addition to five golf tournaments, a raffle, and online auction – the Billings Clinic Foundation will bring the celebration to attendees through a virtual party on Saturday, August 29.
Members of the Classic team will deliver the Classic Spotlight celebration – including food, refreshments and decorations – to the homes of supporters or a designated location of their choosing while connecting them to live-streamed entertainment and a virtual celebration highlighting their support.
“We’re taking the necessary precautions to ensure our guests have a safe evening to remember,” Josh Hedge said. “Doing this safely means that we can still support not only the patients at Billings Clinic but also the people who take care of them. We encourage everybody to find a way to help, whether by donating, participating in the online auction or buying raffle tickets. That simple act could make a world of difference to somebody.”
To support this year’s Classic or for more information, call (406) 657-4670, visiting the Billings Clinic Foundation website at www.billingsclinic.com/foundation/classic.
