Support from the community fuels Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital every day. Three groups that support both MWRI and UPMC Magee include the Volunteer Service Board, The Women’s Auxiliary, and The 25 Club. Year after year, these groups come together to give back in special ways.

Created in 1940, the Volunteer Service Board (VSB) is a group of volunteers serving throughout UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. With monies generated from managing the hospital gift shop, it funds proposals for different hospital needs.

Karen Cooper, President of the VSB, first got involved as a social worker at UPMC Magee — a position she held for 23 years.

“It’s really an honor to be part of this process and help the hospital with projects that are very important to the staff, patients, and physicians,” Karen says.

The VSB begins reviewing proposals in October and determines what will be funded by December. The projects funded by the VSB include:

• Obstetric Crisis Training: two simulation mannequins and a simulation baby

• Patient Support: dignity robes for oncology patients

• Security: trained German Shepherd dog, Igor, including supplies for one year

• Spiritual Care: books and pamphlets

• Translation Services: iPads with necessary software and language resources

For Karen and all the board members, these projects are important because they can benefit the patient experience. Membership in the VSB is currently open.

For more information on the Volunteer Service Board, including how to volunteer, contact Karen Cooper at karenmartha@yahoo.com

The Women’s Auxiliary of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital dates to 1937 when it was established by Jessie Turnbull to meet the changing needs within the hospital. The Women’s Auxiliary considers and approves funding recommended by the leadership most compatible with the group’s goals.

Early Women’s Auxiliary-financed efforts included social services projects and an education program for new mothers at UPMC Magee. In postwar years The Women’s Auxiliary financed remodeled bedrooms in the nurses’ home, and 18 new labor and delivery suites.

Historically, The Women’s Auxiliary operated two businesses that raised funds: the baby picture program at UPMC Magee and The Clothes Line, a resale shop opened in 1949 and now located in Bloomfield, Pa.

Peggy Snavely, current president of the Women’s Auxiliary, credits The Clothes Line workers — particularly, Betsy McAleer and Mary Lou Gatewood for “working very hard and putting their heart into the store to keep it running.” The entire shop is staffed by volunteers.

By 1986, the group started a research endowment and established the Scott L. Williams Breast Care Center. The Women’s Auxiliary continued to fund hospital projects related to UPMC Magee’s Breast Care Center and the NICU for years.

Then in 2008, The Women’s Auxiliary began to shift its focus away from brick-and-mortar projects toward research on future generations. The MARS and Bright Star programs, which support researchers at Magee- Womens Research Institute, exemplify the direction in which The Women’s Auxiliary is headed. Past research funding recipients have included Dr. Miguel Brieño- Enríquez, Dr. Eldin Jašarević, Dr. Mellissa Mann, and Dr. Ronald Buckanovich.

Reflecting on her involvement in The Women’s Auxiliary and The Clothes Line, Peggy says that it’s been a win all around.

“Honestly, as a volunteer working at The Clothes Line, we are fortunate,” she says. “Not only do we raise funds for women’s health at MWRI, but we can donate our old clothes, shop for ourselves, and meet nice people. Truly a win-win opportunity.”

For more information about The Women’s Auxiliary, visit ClothesLineResale.org

Dani Grego, 33-Year Member The Twenty-Five Club has supported medicine, neonatal research, and fetal intervention at UPMC.

On Sept. 21, 1939, Lillian Reese, along with 24 other charitable women gathered for a scientific presentation from a local researcher, which led to subsidizing an attending physician in the fever-therapy department of Children’s Hospital. Hence, “The Twenty-Five Club” was founded.

Patti and Paul Matty began fundraising for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in 1977 by holding a garage sale in their home. The sale eventually moved to South Park Fairground and became widely known as “The Sale in The Park.” For 15 years, all 25 Club members participated, along with their families, doctors and their spouses, and many devoted friends.

One of the devoted members, Ann Kerr, decided to set a goal to establish a $1 million account; so, as she put it, the members did not have to work so hard. Ann accompanied her husband on his business trips worldwide and purchased antiques, artifacts, important works, and collectibles auctioned at an annual event at The Duquesne Club.

In 1954, The 25 Club purchased the first Thermo Control Incubator used in Pittsburgh. In 1969, The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was donated to Magee-Womens Hospital and was the only NICU in Western Pennsylvania and one of only a few in United States.

In July 2008, under the guidance of Carol Massaro, President, The 25 Club established the “Twenty-Five Club Endowed Chair in Newborn Medicine” to be held by Dr. Gary Silverman. This $2,000,000 chair was achieved with matching funds by UPMC. In 2010, Dr. Watchko was awarded funds for research and treatment to prevent brain damage in newborns with severe jaundice.

The 25 Club has supported additional research projects at Magee- Womens Research Institute over the years, including Dr. Yoel Sadovsky’s placental immunity project and Dr. Stephen Emery’s work in diagnosis and treatment of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). The 25 Club also provided Dr. Emery funds for in utero repair of Fetal Spina Bifida and supported Dr. Thomas Diacovo’s fetal blood bank.

Many members have a heartfelt connection to The 25 Club. Michel Franklin spent the first three months of her life in the NICU. Penny Holden, the current president, has a strong connection to UPMC Magee after giving birth and her mother having surgeries at UPMC Magee.

Penny says, “We are so fortunate to have UPMC Magee here in Pittsburgh and the associated Research Institute. The things they are doing impact the country and
the world,” she says. “What is really rewarding for all of us is that the funding we provide for research is far-reaching.”

For more information about The 25 Club, visit The25Club.org