Painting a Brighter Tomorrow

Take a bow, generous donors. The ASRT Foundation reached its goal thanks to you.

Painting a portrait of a better tomorrow takes a lot of generosity, time and hard work. Now a grand picture has emerged thanks to our caring donors and volunteers: The ASRT Foundation’s Positioning for a Brighter Tomorrow Celebration Campaign raised $3.175 million. It has surpassed its $3 million goal and continues to grow. Thank you, everyone, for your gifts, your donations of time, and for giving medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals a brighter future.

We achieved our goal only because our members recognized the importance of the Foundation’s work and stepped forward to add bold brushstrokes to the portrait of a better world. These forward-thinking donors and volunteers recognize that advanced degrees and certifications elevate the way medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals view themselves and the way the public views R.T.s. They recognize the benefits of research to the profession and future developments in health care. There are not many professions where each individual cares as much as you do.

The Celebration Campaign was created two years ago, on the 30th anniversary of the ASRT Foundation, by a group of R.T.s and the Foundation’s development team. We set out to paint a picture of a brighter tomorrow in which R.T.s could achieve the education, opportunities and support they need to succeed and give their patients safe, high-quality care.

Josephine Picone, R.T.(R), began supporting the Foundation because she wanted to influence the lives of others. “The profession of radiologic technology is important to me, and it’s exciting to see what’s in store for the field. The ASRT Foundation has built a great resource for R.T.s, students and the profession,” she said.

Marie L.A. Racine, M.S., R.T.(R)(T), said she established an endowment to give back and make a difference. She has had a lifetime of success in radiation therapy and wanted to share that career path with others. “I’ve seen a lot of my students struggling financially as they try to reach their goals. For those students who have received scholarships, the joy and pride expressed on their faces are priceless. That’s why I started this scholarship, and maybe [it will] help students and others who are in similar situations.”

Beth Weber, M.P.H., R.T.(R), RDMS, CRA, FASRT, said she can relate to the people she helps support through ASRT Foundation scholarships and research grants. “I experienced financial constraints while obtaining my college degrees, so my inspiration is to lessen the strains of someone else who has an opportunity to make a professional difference. To that end, I believe investing and contributing to the professional Foundation is the right thing to do.”

Today, more than ever, R.T.s recognize the long-term value of education, research and community outreach. Each year, thousands of R.T.s return to school to earn academic degrees or certifications in additional disciplines or specialties. They also lead evidence-based research teams and serve on multidisciplinary projects to improve medical imaging and radiation therapy around the world. It is critical that R.T.s attain the appropriate education, leadership skills and influence in the field to meet the needs of patients.

Celebrating the Past, Ensuring the Future

Inspired by you, we created a comprehensive fundraising campaign designed to support students entering the profession and encourage professionals to acquire additional certifications. The campaign also empowers R.T.s to share their knowledge around the world and perform groundbreaking research that elevates the entire profession. All while ensuring the long-term stability of the ASRT Foundation.

Did you know that 100% of every gift to the Foundation goes directly to support the scholarships and research programs that benefit ASRT members? Few foundations are able to achieve that. All of the Foundation’s day-to-day expenses are paid for by grants, corporate support and our new operating endowment. This endowment is a permanent source of revenue that will ensure your Foundation is here for you and your colleagues long into the future.

To show our deep appreciation for the individuals and businesses that helped us establish the endowment, we offered opportunities to name and sponsor rooms at the ASRT office and to join the interactive donor wall outside the new ASRT Museum and Archives. We are pleased and humbled to be able to recognize your support for the medical imaging and radiation therapy community.

Going Forward by Giving Back

Hundreds of R.T.s have benefited from Foundation scholarships. Many of our donors are passionate about providing scholarships for R.T.s and, because of the Celebration Campaign, nine new scholarships have been created to help students seeking to enter the profession as well as current professionals who want to advance their careers.

We strongly support R.T.s who have new ideas for practices and research to enrich our body of knowledge and move the profession forward. In the past 32 years, donors have helped underwrite more than three dozen technologist-initiated research projects across North America. We are delighted to help develop and cultivate the next generation of researchers by funding and sharing the results of these projects.

Your support also helps hospitals and clinics around the globe to set up medical imaging or radiation therapy departments. These community outreach programs, which take place in underserved, often rural areas, allow medical relief teams to train local staff to use equipment and teach them how to best serve their patients. This work is critical, not just for the communities being aided, but also for those leading the medical teams; the experience develops leadership skills and increases cultural understanding that can help the R.T.s work with diverse communities at home.

In addition, our community outreach projects help hospitals and clinics recover after devastating natural disasters, such as the earthquake that struck Nepal in May 2015. It was not an easy road to recovery, but with your support, radiology departments were able to get back on track.

A Heartfelt Thank You

People often congratulate the ASRT Foundation team on a successful campaign, but that misses the point. The ASRT Foundation is your Foundation. It exists only because of people like you. It is successful only because of the generosity of our medical imaging and radiation therapy community. We are a steward of your vision and your philanthropy. Without the kindness, compassion and generosity of incredible ASRT members and corporate partners, these programs would not be able to continue.

Every day I get to see the great work you are doing, and I am proud to be able to support you in everything you do. You are advancing the profession and providing patients with the best care in the world. That is no small accomplishment. My belief in you and what you do inspired me to make a gift to the Celebration Campaign, and I will continue supporting you with an ongoing annual donation. I hope you will join me in supporting the R.T. community.

Congratulations on your remarkable achievements and, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Together we are painting your vision of the future. As you support and empower each other, you also enhance the profession, as well as the quality and safety of patient care.

Join In and Make Your Mark

There’s still time to be a part of this historic campaign, and there are many great options for anyone who wants to continue his or her legacy of giving back to the profession. You can join the donor wall, create a scholarship or award or designate the ASRT Foundation as a beneficiary in your will or insurance plan. Contact us today to see how easy it is to make a difference.

This article was originally published in ASRT Scanner, Vol. 48, No.4, Page 42.