Lee Health Foundation has awarded the Frank Haskell Humanitarian Award to Amanda Cross for her incredible leadership in creating SanCap Cares, a community initiative that has raised $15 million since its founding in 2000.
The prestigious award was presented at the Foundation’s annual Evening of Appreciation, a formal event thanking donors and supporters for their generosity and unwavering commitment to enhancing health care services within the Lee Health network. “Carols & Coconuts” was held Nov. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa.
Each year, Lee Health Foundation honors a deserving individual with the Frank Haskell Humanitarian Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership in the advancement of quality health care for Southwest Florida residents. The award is named in honor of Frank Haskell, who along with his wife, Betty, co-founded Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund. For more than 20 years, Frank Haskell has worked nonstop to help local children win their battles with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.
Last year’s Haskell award recipient, Joe Catti, president and CEO of FineMark National Bank & Trust, explained how SanCap Cares started with a group of Sanibel women who recognized the benefit of having high-quality health care nearby. Cross galvanized that group and initiated what would become SanCap Cares, a major fundraiser supporting the creation of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
“Amanda’s tireless leadership, her love of the mission and yes, her attention to every detail, made the event better and better every year,” Catti said. “Her efforts truly created a culture of philanthropy on Sanibel and Captiva.”
Those initial discussions nearly two decades ago centered around the need for a children’s hospital in Southwest Florida. At age 10, Cross’ daughter was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart problem, and she had to be airlifted to a Miami hospital for treatment. That was a common practice for decades as Lee County families had little option but travel to Miami or Tampa for specialized pediatric care.
In 2017, a freestanding, state-of-the-art children’s hospital opened in Fort Myers thanks to the philanthropic work of organizations like SanCap Cares.
“It’s been an honor to be a part of this effort to support this amazing hospital,” Cross said, “and to see where it has come over the past 20 years.”
About Lee Health Foundation
Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of Lee Health, including Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Memorial Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The Foundation provides financial support for many service areas including the Regional Cancer Center, Lee Health – Coconut Point, The Rehabilitation Hospital, Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, Community Health Clinics and Golisano Children’s Hospital Specialty Clinics in both Port Charlotte and Naples. Over the past two years, the Foundation has distributed more than $53 million to Lee Health to support its lifesaving mission. Please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call (239) 343-6950 for more information.
