August 2026
Dear friends,
It’s my pleasure to bring you Word of Honor, a monthly e-newsletter from HonorHealth Foundation featuring inspiring stories of the lives touched and impact made through philanthropy and HonorHealth's century-long commitment to providing exceptional care across the Valley.
What truly sets HonorHealth apart is the generous support of our community. Everything we do and offer is made possible or supported by donors — from community programs like Desert Mission, to ground-breaking discoveries at HonorHealth Research Institute (HRI), to the lives saved and extended at the many HonorHealth hospital, urgent, specialty and primary care facilities.
Read on to learn how Marlo found renewed hope at HRI after a rare cancer diagnosis, find out how our generous community is saving lives one bottle of water at a time, discover the reach of our impact in our 2025 Annual Report and more.
With gratitude,
Jared A. Langkilde, MBA, CFRE
President & CEO
HonorHealth Foundation
Patient’s rare gallbladder cancer successfully treated at HonorHealth Research Institute
Marlo, 58, is a member of the Gila River Indian Community, where she worked for more than 35 years as a teacher and social worker, specializing in helping disadvantaged children.
In late 2024, Marlo felt unwell. She eventually went to a hospital where tests revealed cancer of the gallbladder.
Gallbladder cancer is a rare malignancy, affecting about 12,000 Americans and resulting in nearly 4,500 deaths annually. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it is survivable if, as in Marlo’s case, it’s caught early.
Marlo’s gallbladder was surgically removed, but the cancer had already spread to her liver. Over the next several months, she was treated with different conventional chemotherapies, but none of them worked. When yet another was suggested, Marlo said, “No more.”
Clinical trials recommended
Instead, Marlo’s doctors recommended she seek advanced treatment though a clinical trial at HonorHealth Research Institute.
In the summer of 2025, she met with Dr. Erkut Borazanci, medical director of the Research Institute’s Oncology Research Division, who explained that their targeted drug was an immunotherapy — meaning it works with her own immune system to fight the cancer — and would likely have minimal side effects.
Unlike the conventional chemotherapies that required three to four hours of infusion, the Institute’s clinical trial drug could be infused in only about 15 minutes. Marlo has received infusions of the new drug every two weeks since her sessions began last August.
“It worked! I came here with my tumor markers (scores) in the 300s, and the lowest I’ve seen it while on this medication is 17,” Marlo says. “The medication proved to be effective. The tumors are shrinking.”
Recently, a lesion on her liver began growing, but that was quickly countered through a weeklong, daily treatment regimen with a new type of radiation therapy.
Looking to the future
Through her community’s Gila River Health Care, Marlo regularly attends meetings, learning new things and staying socially connected.
“I want to continue to be active with the elders in the community,” she says, adding she enjoys alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage and chiropractic sessions, which she credits for improving her overall wellbeing.
Marlo hopes that through her treatments at HonorHealth, she will continue to improve until there is no detectable cancer.
Today, Marlo describes her condition as great, crediting Dr. Borazanci and the Institute staff.
“Dr. ‘B’ is the best! He’s been very instrumental in improving my health,” she says. “And the staff at HonorHealth treat you with human compassion and understanding.”
A lifeline in the Arizona summer
When HonorHealth Desert Mission and HonorHealth Foundation launched their bottled water drive to support Desert Mission Food Bank, the goal was simple: help ensure our fellow community members have access to clean, safe water during the Valley’s hottest months. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, that goal was exceeded fivefold — raising more than $33,000 to provide over 260,000 bottles of water.
Each year, Desert Mission Food Bank serves thousands of individuals and families across our community, providing nutritious food and essential resources to those facing hardship. During the summer, bottled water becomes one of the most critical needs.
By the time the food bank opens at 8 a.m., many clients have already been waiting in line for at least an hour. Some are living in their vehicles or experiencing homelessness, making regular access to clean drinking water difficult, or sometimes impossible.
For longtime Desert Mission volunteers, Beth Crimmings and Deb Williams, the need is impossible to ignore.
“Access to water from the food bank can be the difference between life and death,” said Deb.
The pair, who have dedicated years to volunteering at the food bank, see firsthand how much a simple bottle of water can mean. Some clients become emotional when they receive help. Others express heartfelt gratitude for what volunteers describe as more than hydration. It’s a gesture of dignity, respect and care.
“I think kindness is passed on to our clients. That’s something they take with them, and that matters,” said Beth. “Our clients are no different than I am. Something just went sideways for them. The food bank shows them that we’re a community and we help one another.”
For some individuals, that bottle of water may be the only one they receive all day.
Thanks to the compassion of donors and supporters, Desert Mission Food Bank can continue providing this vital resource for those who need it most. Together, we are helping ensure our neighbors stay safe, healthy and hydrated while reminding them that they are valued members of our community.
HonorHealth care in the heart of Tempe
Located in the heart of Tempe on Mill Avenue between Broadway Road and University Drive, HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center provides people in Tempe and the Southeast Valley with a convenient and comprehensive option for emergency or routine healthcare services.
Hosting a 74-bed full-service hospital, the Tempe campus offers an emergency department, intensive care and pain management services, outpatient imaging services as well as a variety of general and specialty surgery, including bariatric, orthopedic total joint, spine and more. Robotic surgical technology is also deployed for the best possible outcomes.
HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center additionally offers specialty treatment, such as cardiac cath lab services, wound care services, electroconvulsive therapy services, as well as an Accredited Primary Stroke Center.
The services provided at HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center help improve the health and well-being of people across the Valley and are supported in part by generous HonorHealth donors.
Read more and discover ways you can support HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center
Making a difference: HonorHealth K-9 Security Program
As a nonprofit, philanthropy is central to HonorHealth’s ability to advance programs that deliver on our promise to provide personalized, quality care to our community. But giving through HonorHealth Foundation means you’re supporting more than great care — your contributions improve health and well-being, fuel medical breakthroughs, drive innovative research and much more.
And because HonorHealth is a community-based hospital system, decisions are made locally and the support of our donors remains right here, helping the patients, families and causes that mean the most to you. If you’re inspired by innovation and transformation, you can make change real for our community and even the world — and the HonorHealth Foundation Impact Reports demonstrate how the support of HonorHealth donors helps make it all possible.
This month, in recognition of National Dog Day on August 26, we’re featuring the HonorHealth K-9 Security Program. The HonorHealth K-9 Security Program Impact Report reflects what is possible when compassion and partnership come together. Because of donor generosity, HonorHealth remains a safe and secure environment for our patients, staff and visitors. This support allows us to invest in advanced K-9 security resources and help protect everyone who walks through our doors every day.
Celebrating Honor in Action on National Nonprofit Day
National Nonprofit Day recognizes the organizations that make communities stronger through service, compassion and impact. HonorHealth Foundation is proud to support HonorHealth, a nonprofit healthcare system dedicated to delivering exceptional care, advancing innovation and improving lives throughout our community. Our donors, volunteers and community partners help turn generosity into meaningful opportunities that enhance health and healing, ensuring compassionate, high-quality care remains available for generations to come.
As we celebrate National Nonprofit Day, we invite you to explore our 2025 Annual Report. This year’s theme, Honor in Action, highlights the meaningful ways generosity is making a difference, advancing care, supporting our teams and impacting lives across our community. We’re proud to share the stories of what our donors have made possible and the extraordinary impact they continue to make every day.
August is National Make-A-Will Month
Did you know that more than half of U.S. adults do not have a will?
For many, creating a will is something they’ve been meaning to do — but just haven’t gotten around to. That’s why August is recognized as National Make-A-Will Month: a timely reminder to take this important step for the people and causes you care about.
Creating or updating your will as part of your estate plan is one of the most effective ways to protect your loved ones and reflect your values. It’s also a powerful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to a cause that’s meaningful to you.
If you or your loved ones haven’t yet made a will — or need to update an existing one — HonorHealth Foundation has gathered simple tools and resources to help you get started.
Download your free step-by-step Estate Planning Guide and get the information you need to start creating your will or trust today!
Want more information or have questions? Contact the HonorHealth Foundation Planned Giving team via email at LegacyGiving@honorhealth.com, or call (480) 587-5000.
NICU Tea and Luncheon: Building miracles every day
Individual tickets are available now!
Individual tickets for the 9th Annual NICU Tea and Luncheon are on sale now! Select sponsorships are also available and each opportunity includes at least one table for 10 guests.
Proceeds from the NICU Tea and Luncheon support the NICU expansion at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, allowing us to elevate care for even more infants and families.
NICU Tea and Luncheon
Friday, September 18, 2026
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
Purchase your tickets or sponsorship today!
Morning of Gold sponsorships are available now!
Becoming a Morning of Gold sponsor is an ideal way to provide support that fuels HonorHealth Desert Mission’s life-changing community programs.
Through the Desert Mission Food Bank, Lincoln Learning Center, Adult Day Health Care and Living Well program, people of all ages are served by Desert Mission — and it’s your support that helps make it all possible!
Desert Mission Morning of Gold
Friday, November 13, 2026
Arizona Biltmore Resort
Learn more about Desert Mission and Morning of Gold sponsorship opportunities
Save the date for the Honor Ball - 50th Anniversary Event
With its rich history and 50-year legacy of exceptional philanthropy, the Honor Ball is one of the Valley’s most anticipated galas. Our guests have come to love the Honor Ball’s cocktail reception, dinner and dancing. Please mark your calendar for an evening to remember!
Honor Ball - 50th Anniversary Event
Saturday, February 20, 2027
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Additional information coming soon!
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