giving for good bemidji

For patients at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center, the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center and beyond, your generosity makes all the difference. Together, we’re powering new insights, driving breakthroughs and providing patients and families with world-class, comprehensive care close to home in the Bemidji region. We’re saving more lives thanks to the addition of the new PET/CT digital imaging system at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center and the regions first Mobile Mammography Unit.

Last year, we put over $3.2 million in philanthropic gifts to work across the Bemidji region. Read more in the 2024 annual report.

Give for the Bemidji Region

Local Priorities

Philanthropy is an integral part of the care provided at Sanford Health. The Sanford Health Foundation in the Bemidji region plays a crucial role in supporting specific programming for patients and staff, upgrading essential equipment, and funding special projects tailored to meet the needs of our communities.

3D Mobile Mammography Unit

You are invited to join our efforts to provide greater access to lifesaving breast cancer screening and early detection technology through our new 3D Mobile Mammography unit, the first-ever mobile mammography service to be offered for the Bemidji region.

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Cancer

More than 3,000 of our neighbors across the region turn to the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center every year. Donors support costs of lifesaving MRIs, services like nurse navigation at no cost to patients, complimentary wigs and head coverings, advanced technologies for cancer prevention, detection and treatment, staff education, and so much more

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Behavioral Health

In the last 10 years, the Sanford Bemidji Mobile Crisis Transportation saw a 316% increase among adults needing psychiatric crisis services and a 338% increase among children. Philanthropy supports psychiatric services at the Sanford Bemidji Crisis Center, scholarship and internship opportunities for local students in behavioral health fields, community and school-based programming to expand mental health screening and access, and so much more.

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Leadership Connection

A region update from Karla Eischens, president & CEO of Sanford Bemidji.
March 20, 2025

Earlier this month, we celebrated National Employee Appreciation Day by recognizing our nearly 2,500 local caregivers and staff who bring hope and healing to patients and families across the Bemidji region each day. From those who serve on the frontlines of patient care, to those who work behind the scenes to manage each patient’s needs, to those who are discovering new breakthroughs for the future of medicine, members of our Sanford Health family in Bemidji give so much of themselves every day to help people right here in our community. But did you know that many employees in Bemidji also give back as donors, further supporting our mission our mission of care? Employees like Kaci Peterson — who believes in the power of collective generosity to create meaningful change.

Read Kaci’s story and see the impact of employee giving.

Karla Eischens

Bemidji’s Signature Events

Below are a few of the signature events we host in the Bemidji region. To see more events in Bemidji, visit our calendar.

Pours for a PurposeLearn More

PETALLearn More

Other Bemidji EventsLearn More

Get Involved through Fundraising

At Sanford Health, our doctors, researchers and caregivers are working to bring health, hope and healing to more than 1.2 million people across the Upper Midwest. With you on our team, we can accelerate our race to uncover new breakthroughs, develop new treatments and create meaningful programs that support patients and their families.

Launch your fundraiser in the Bemidji region and inspire others to give for good today!

Create a Fundraiser