On the road to the Centennial Campaign for Excellence’s $25 million goal, one might expect the final miles to be among the most challenging. But what Campaign Chair Darrell Sooy is emphasizing nowadays are signs of the fund raising’s ultimate success.

As of April 2006, nearly $23 million has been raised to support Alta Bates Summit’s new Cardiovascular, Oncology and Women & Infants Centers for Excellence, plus a number of its ongoing community programs. “And the campaign continues to receive substantial individual commitments,” Sooy points out. “The Bechtel family, for example, has furthered its longstanding generosity for Women & Infants Services at Alta Bates Summit with a major contribution to obtain equipment and meet other critical needs in our model Newborn Intensive Care Unit.”

Alta Bates Summit Foundation trustees are also lending significant support. Some examples: “Trustee Christine Heldman and her husband, Jim, have completed a major trust commitment, with half benefiting the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the remainder supporting the Medical Center’s general endowment,” says Sooy. “Foundation Board Chair Linda Peltz and family contributed trust proceeds comprising yet another major commitment to the Medical Center, in addition to their previous campaign pledge.”

In addition, Alta Bates Summit staff is answering the campaign’s call. In December 2005, the employee phase of fundraising efforts surpassed its $500,000 goal. Looking ahead in 2006, the campaign will focus on stepped-up appeals to physicians, physician groups and solicitations to the broader community. “We’re working hard to provide funding for urgently needed clinical facilities and equipment,” says Sooy. “We thank everyone for supporting quality medical care in the East Bay and sharing our vision for a Medical Center that is second to none.”