Stories
Many lives have been saved and families forever changed thanks in part to the generous support of our donors.

A Family Legacy of Giving
The story of Providence Holy Cross Medical Center and the name Albert “Al” Ghirardelli go hand in hand. Mr. Ghirardelli has been involved with Holy Cross since its inception more than 50 years ago. In fact, we owe the hospital to this man’s strong leadership and passion for community service.
“Al Ghirardelli recognized the need for a quality hospital in the northeast San Fernando Valley and led an initiative to get the hospital built. Al’s dedication and support of our local hospital has been unwavering,” states Mr. Michael Overing, Providence Holy Cross Foundation board member and Ghirardelli’s former law firm partner.
Mr. Ghirardelli’s dedication and contagious enthusiasm for our medical center has permeated to his business associates, community partners and more closely to his family, who have generously supported the hospital throughout the years. Most recently, a very generous donation was made by Al’s late brother Walter Ghirardelli, who remembered Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in his will. Walter Ghirardelli created a bequest benefiting our hospital and after his passing last year, the medical center received $700,000 that helped us complete the Little Miracles Campaign in support of our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The need for quality health care that Al and his contemporaries saw is no smaller today. As society advanced, so has its expectation for quality care delivered both quickly and cost-effectively. Donors can help offset the high costs of care. Philanthropy fills a crucial gap between insurance/government reimbursement and the actual cost of running a hospital, allows implementation of new technologies and modernization of existing care facilities, and provides resources for advanced training of nurses and staff. Naming Holy Cross as a beneficiary in your estate plan will ensure future support for our efforts to provide crucial health care in our community for generations to come.
“We are most grateful for the continued support of the Ghirardelli family and for Walter’s generous estate gift, which is a meaningful vote of confidence in the work being done at Providence Holy Cross. Bequests, large and small, have a significant impact on our medical center,” said Joe Ward, Executive Director of Planned Giving. “They are easy to set up and provide an estate tax benefit. Best of all, they create a lasting legacy at an institution that has touched the lives of you and your loved ones.”
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Navigating the Cancer Journey
When Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer, Nurse Navigator Angela Acevedo became her advocate, guide and support -- from the initial meeting with the oncologist to the final chemotherapist treatment. I will never forget all the ways Angela helped me through a very difficult time in my life,” reflects Jane.
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Minutes that make a difference
Michael Lora woke up not knowing he would be fighting for his life later that day. Within hours he was being transported to St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Care Center. He was immediately met by a team of nurses and doctors, including Dr. Peter Smethurst who recommended antibiotics which ended up saving his life.
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The heart of the matter
“I was a ticking time bomb. A heart attack waiting to happen.” Carrol was informed she needed immediate bypass surgery, but a rare genetic disorder would make it unsafe to perform. That’s when St. Joseph Hospital came through with a new, minimally invasive technique.
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Giving from the heart and home
Now retired, Drs. Amin decided they were at the right time in their lives to downsize, but more importantly, to give back to the community they cherished in a significant way. Their extraordinary generosity will help fund Nursing Excellence and Behavioral Health.
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A life devoted to caring
Shirley Moretti, a donor and friend, said it best. “When we focus on others, we learn about ourselves.” Giving back to others was one of her greatest joys in life — it filled her heart and inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps.
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One of the best ever
More than 300 golfers enjoyed a day that included two 18-hole courses of golf and raised more than $405,000 in support of the St. Joseph Hospital’s Cardiovascular Program.
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A record-breaking event
Supported by Marsha Moeller and presented by Centaurus Financial, Inc. and The Gooding-Barry and Immell Families, Celebration 2019 raised a record-breaking $676,000 for the Nursing Center of Excellence while celebrating 90 years of healing at St. Joseph Hospital.
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The best inspires confidence
When he needed a scan to check for cancer, Terrance was nervous to say the least. “The tech prepping me for my PET/CT scan told me that my diagnostic test would be done with the new equipment just received. He said that it was the 'best of the best' and made possible by generous donor support” said Terrance.
Read StoryProvidence Holy Cross Receives Record-Breaking $16 Million Gift
Gift from the estate of Julian and Gladys Saunders is the largest in hospital’s history
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