Pardee Hospital Foundation

Pardee Hospital Foundation is dedicated to raising funds and awareness to meet the specific needs of UNC Health Pardee. As a non-profit public hospital owned by Henderson County but not funded by it, UNC Health Pardee relies on community support to advance patient care, enhance technology, foster research, and support vital clinical programs. Through the generosity of our donors, the Foundation ensures that UNC Health Pardee will continue to provide exceptional care and inspire health for generations to come.

A Legacy That Continues to Grow.
A community’s commitment to care, carried forward through generations.
 
More than a century ago, local women organized, advocated and raised funds because they believed Henderson County deserved quality healthcare close to home. That spirit of generosity helped shape the hospital we know today—and continues through the work of Pardee Hospital Foundation.
For 30 years, the Foundation has connected community generosity with opportunities to strengthen healthcare at UNC Health Pardee. From essential equipment and advanced technology to expanded services and resources that support patients through life’s most difficult moments, philanthropy helps make exceptional care close to home possible.
 
The People Behind the Impact
What does community support mean to the people who provide and receive care? Hear from the physicians, hospital leaders and community members whose experiences reflect the difference philanthropy makes today—and the possibilities it creates for tomorrow.
 
 

Our Highest Fundraising Priority

Help Build Spaces that Heal

The Pardee Adolescent Behavioral Health Center is a transformational investment in the future of our community. Pardee Hospital Foundation is raising $750,000 to create an outdoor therapeutic healing space where adolescents can reduce stress, reconnect with nature, participate in therapeutic activities.

Your generosity will help create an environment that extends healing beyond four walls and offers hope to teens and their families for generations to come.

Help us reach our $750,000 goal and build a place where healing can grow

Explore ways that match your impact vision!

Join other community members as we celebrate and support healthcare.

Check out the different options that fit with your interest, life, and desire to make an impact.

Our Impact in 2024

2736
Gifts made
$2,014,615
Raised for healthcare
732
Donors

Kenmure Fights Cancer Awards Record-Breaking Gift to Pardee Hospital Foundation

$112,918 donation will fund cancer care technology and expansion Pardee Cancer Center


HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.
— Kenmure Fights Cancer has awarded the Pardee Hospital Foundation a record-breaking gift of $112,918.18 to support cancer care at Pardee Cancer Center, marking the first time the organization has presented the Foundation with a six-figure donation.

The donation will support the planned expansion of the Oncology and Hematology Laboratory at Pardee Cancer Center, an important step in the hospital’s continued commitment to expand its comprehensive cancer services for the citizens of Western North Carolina. When complete, the project will approximately double the lab’s current footprint. Together, these improvements will help streamline patient flow, strengthen clinical safety and coordination, and accommodate growing patient volumes.

This new space will also house a new chemistry analyzer, bringing additional laboratory testing capabilities directly to the cancer center. By enabling real-time, on-site processing, the technology will reduce delays associated with sending lab work to the hospital lab, supporting faster clinical decision-making and a more efficient patient experience.

More importantly, the new lab will make testing available on-site. Tests will include complete blood counts, comprehensive and basic metabolic panels, renal and hepatic function testing, as well as pre-treatment analysis. Having these results available more quickly will help care teams make timely treatment decisions while reducing unnecessary delays for patients.

“These investments represent an important step forward in strengthening cancer care for our region,” said Adam Wilkins, administrative director of oncology services at UNC Health Pardee. “Expanding our oncology lab within Pardee Cancer Center will help improve efficiency, support our growing patient population and provide more coordinated, patient-centered care. We are grateful to Kenmure Fights Cancer for helping make this progress possible.”

This expansion project will build on Pardee’s ongoing commitment to enhancing cancer services. These investments will help ensure patients throughout Western North Carolina have access to the care and resources they need, closer to home.

The Pardee Hospital Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to Kenmure Fights Cancer, its supporters and the Kenmure community for their continued commitment to improving cancer care throughout Western North Carolina.

“Kenmure Fights Cancer’s generosity reflects the power of a community coming together to make a meaningful difference,” said Amy Treece, executive director of Pardee Hospital Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for their continued partnership and dedication to supporting cancer care, including the important work happening at Pardee.”

About the Pardee Hospital Foundation

Founded in 1996, the Pardee Hospital Foundation raises funds and awareness to support UNC Health Pardee and its mission to improve the health of the communities it serves. Through the generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations,, and community partners, the Foundation helps fund equipment, technology, programs and other initiatives that enhance patient care throughout Western North Carolina.

To learn more, visit pardeehospitalfoundation.org

Women Helping Women Funding Advances Breast Imaging Technology at UNC Health Pardee

Community generosity advances breast imaging and contrast-enhanced biopsies, strengthening breast health services across the region.

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — The generosity of the community through Pardee Hospital Foundation’s Women Helping Women Fund is helping advance breast health services at UNC Health Pardee, securing the funding needed to purchase a new contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) machine and upgrades to Pardee’s existing CEM technology.

The investment represents a meaningful step forward in supporting breast cancer detection and helping women in the region access cutting edge technology close to home. Since its launch in 1998, Women Helping Women has raised more than $3.5 million to advance breast health education, early detection and access to diagnostic services and procedures for women in the community.

For women who require additional breast imaging, contrast-enhanced mammography can help to better evaluate a potential abnormality or assess their risk of breast cancer. This exam combines a traditional mammogram with an injection of an iodine-based contrast dye that helps highlight areas of increased concern in the breast tissue. These enhanced images give radiologists more tools to detect, evaluate, and diagnose breast abnormalities.

This new equipment and technology will support Pardee’s ability to provide cutting edge breast imaging options for its patients and help physicians evaluate breast concerns quickly and efficiently. For women who need advanced diagnostic testing, access to this technology can provide a clear picture of their breast health and guide next steps in their care.

“Women Helping Women reflects what is possible when a community comes together around a shared commitment to women’s health,” said Amy Treece, executive director of Pardee Hospital Foundation. “We are grateful to the donors, sponsors, local businesses and community partners whose generosity makes investments like this possible. Their support helps strengthen breast health services for women throughout our region.”

The impact of Women Helping Women extends beyond the annual luncheon. Throughout October, local businesses, community partners and supporters rallied around the cause through special events and giveback opportunities—from Tooley’s and Green River BBQ to Puttin for Pink and cookie sales at West Hendersonville High School to name a few. These efforts all contribute to advancing Women Helping Women’s mission.

The annual Women Helping Women Luncheon, presented by First Bank, brought community members together on October 23 at Blue Ridge Community College. The program featured personal testimony, an inspiring keynote address and opportunities to celebrate the impact of community generosity.

Maya Starr shared her powerful personal testimony, emphasizing the importance of women supporting one another throughout the cancer journey. She also encouraged women to become informed advocates for their own breast health, including understanding their breast density and Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment score. Increased breast density can increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and make it more difficult for cancer to be visualized on a mammogram. Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment model helps to estimate an individual’s risk for developing breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Knowing these numbers can have a meaningful impact on one’s overall breast health. They can also help guide conversations with healthcare providers to ensure the appropriate imaging is being done each year.

Keynote speaker Nicole Phillips inspired attendees to think about the dreams, goals and possibilities they have been saving for “someday” — and to find the courage to take that first step toward making them a reality. Through her message of kindness, resilience and intentional living, Phillips encouraged the audience to embrace the opportunities in front of them, pursue what matters most and remember that small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on the people around us.

This year’s luncheon was made possible through the generosity of sponsors at every level. First Bank served as presenting sponsor, joined by businesses, individuals and community partners whose support helps advance the mission of Women Helping Women.

2026 Women Helping Women Luncheon Sponsors

  • Presenting Sponsor: First Bank
  • Empowerment Sponsors: Gail Garren; Robinson-Hill Humanitarian Fund
  • Hope Sponsors: Fireside Golf; Blue Ridge Health; SanStone; iDaph Events & Timing; LS3P; Vannoy; Carol Morrison; Patricia Haire
  • Community Sponsors: Carolina Village; Lake Point Landing; Lisa & John Bryan; Angie Edgell; Marilyn Gordon; Dawn Kamus; Dr. Laura & Ron Leatherwood; Kiki & Vaughan Matthews; Joy & Eric Rutherfurd; Leigh & Bob Tate
  • Advocate Sponsors: Cdr. Bill Meyers, USN (Ret.); Jimmy & Hardy Chandler; Four Seasons; Mark Russell; SELEE Corporation
  • Ruby Sponsors: Jennifer McAlister, MD; Echo Hill Flower Farm; Lou Hackney; Carol Larimore; Dr. Ann & Neal Marrano; Point Lookout Vineyards; Debbie & Turner Rouse; Martha Todd
  • Pearl Sponsors: Ruth Birge; Jana Johnson Humleker; Susan Kain; Pamela Kessaris; Brian Leutner; Catherine Quinn

Retail Row added another opportunity for attendees to support local businesses while giving back to the Women Helping Women Fund. Participating businesses included Elite Luxury Consignment & Boutique, iDaph Timing & Events, First Bank, Kendra Scott, Kiki’s Sportswear, Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates, Pardee Gift Shop, Pink Regalia, The Sanctuary Boutique, The Velvet Wind and YogaSix Asheville. Participating Retail Row vendors contributed 20% of their sales to the fund.

Together, these efforts demonstrate how community philanthropy can help strengthen local health care and support women throughout western North Carolina. Pardee Hospital Foundation extends its gratitude to the luncheon committee, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, local businesses, donors and everyone who contributed to this year’s Women Helping Women activities.

To learn more about Women Helping Women or support its mission, visit pardeehospitalfoundation.org.

Philanthropy Reaches Beyond Hospital Walls to Support Home Health Care Across Western North Carolina

Gift to Pardee Hospital Foundation provides four new vehicles to help clinicians bring compassionate care directly to patients’ homes.

 The impact of philanthropy doesn’t stop at the hospital doors. Sometimes, it travels down winding mountain roads, into rural communities and right to the front door of a patient who needs care at home.

A recent gift to the Pardee Hospital Foundation made possible the purchase of four new Subaru Crosstrek vehicles for Pardee Home Health, providing dedicated transportation for clinicians who travel throughout Western North Carolina to care for patients in the comfort of their homes.

Pardee Home Health clinicians serve patients across five counties—Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania, Polk and Rutherford counties, often navigating rural roads and challenging terrain to reach those who need care. Before this gift, clinicians relied on their personal vehicles for work-related travel and received mileage reimbursement. The addition of four dedicated vehicles provides a new resource for the team while supporting the care they provide throughout the region.

Because more than four clinicians make home visits, the vehicles were assigned to team members with the highest logged mileage, prioritizing those who travel most often to see patients.

“Home health is really the bridge between the hospital and the patient,” said Chloe Aguilar, licensed physical therapist with Pardee Home Health. “We want to do everything in our power to keep them home.”

That commitment means meeting patients where they are, whether they are recovering after a hospital stay, managing a chronic condition or working to keep their independence. Receiving care at home allows clinicians to understand patients’ needs within their everyday environments and tailor their care accordingly.

“The greatest impact you can have on a patient is seeing them in their home environment,” said Rachel Forbes-Harvin, director of care innovation for Home Health Support Service. “The home environment gives you a different perspective on what they need and how you can best support them.”

Pardee Home Health offers a range of in-home services, including skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and diabetes management. Its multidisciplinary team includes registered nurses, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and home health aides. The home health team, made up of 30 clinicians, sees an average of 170 patients a day.

For the home health team, reliable transportation is an essential part of reaching patients throughout the region. Western North Carolina’s varied terrain and rural roads can present unique challenges. The new vehicles offer dedicated transportation allowing home health staff the ability to better navigate the region and move between patient visits.

The benefit extends beyond transportation. By supporting the staff who provide care every day, the gift helps strengthen the connection between patients and the services they need.

“Home health allows us to plant a seed to say, ‘We are here for you,’” Aguilar said. “We want patients to know they have a team supporting them, even after they leave the hospital.”

This gift illustrates how philanthropy can make a meaningful difference throughout the health care journey, including in places far removed from a hospital setting. Through the generosity of donors, the Pardee Hospital Foundation helps support the resources and services that enable UNC Health Pardee to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

“This gift is a wonderful example of how philanthropy can make a difference well beyond the hospital walls,” said Amy Treece, executive director of the Pardee Hospital Foundation. “By investing in the people who provide care and the resources they need to reach patients, our donors help extend the reach of compassionate care throughout our communities.”

Whether supporting services within the hospital or helping clinicians reach patients miles away, philanthropy plays an important role in making care more accessible across Western North Carolina.

Hear from Chloe Aguilar about the power local philanthropy.