The Scottsdale Saguaros have granted $250,000 to the Banner Health Foundation to support the Banner Children’s Community Clinics in Mesa and Tolleson as well as the Banner’s Children’s Healthmobile, which brings free primary care to uninisured children.
The service group, which raises funds for numerous childrens’ charities throughout the Phoenix area, recently presented Banner Health representatives with its donation in October at the Mesa clinic. The clinics in Mesa and Tolleson serve the uninsured with free exams and treatment along with the Healthmobile, which sees patients in San Tan Valley and Maricopa neighborhoods.
“Our goal has always been to make the biggest impact possible by standing alongside community partners who are making a real difference for kids,” said Scottsdale Saguaros member Ian Sachs, who helped present the check on behalf of the group. “Over the past year, our partnership with Banner has turned that mission into action and will help thousands of uninsured children across the Valley get the healthcare they need. For us, there’s no greater reward than knowing we’re helping make that happen.”
More than 3,000 uninsured children are cared for at the two Banner Children’s Community Clinics and an additional 500 children are seen aboard the Healthmobile. The clinics offer primary care, behavioral health screenings, specialty care referrals, sports physicals and injury prevention education for families with young children.
“We are incredibly gratified to receive this support from the Scottsdale Saguaros to serve vulnerable children in our community,” said Andy Petersen, president and chief executive officer of the Banner Health Foundation. “The Saguaros have been committed to helping the youth of our area for more than 35 years, and it is wonderful to be the recipient of this investment to help vulnerable kids stay well and wonderful.”
Most Banner Children’s Community Clinics and Healthmobile patients come from families with low incomes, lack health insurance, have limited access to transportation, and many prefer to communicate in Spanish. As a result, the clinics see children who have had little to no previous primary care.
