Community Health Network Foundation receives $1 million gift in support of patient financial assistance

Donation will support both cancer and eastside patients in financial need

Indianapolis, IN—Community Health Network Foundation has received a $1 million cash donation from Rama Drive Realty, a group of managing partners and investors that own and operate several properties in Indianapolis, to provide financial assistance to both oncology and eastside patients of Community Health Network.

Of the $1 million gift, $500,000 will support Community’s existing Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, which provides Community cancer patients facing financial challenges with $250 vouchers to help them access healthy food, life-saving medication and gas to get to and from treatment. The remaining $500,000 will be dedicated to establishing and endowing the East Region Patient Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance for patients receiving care in Community’s east region.

The group made the gift in memory of lead managing partner Lewis Norry’s parents Sharon and Neil Norry and Rama’s former employee William “Bill” Spurlock, who helped to manage maintenance operations at several properties on the east side of Indianapolis. Spurlock lived a life dedicated to helping others and also overcame alcoholism, maintaining sobriety for the last 13 years of his life thanks to hard work and perseverance, before passing away in 2012 from cancer. 

“My parents, through the example of the lives they led, instilled in our family the values of community, hard work, caring and giving back. And, our associate and my friend, Bill Spurlock epitomized these qualities everyday through his life and service to others.” said Norry. “With their legacies in mind, this gift will help Community support patients facing a difficult health diagnosis, compounded by financial challenges. My hope is that our support will allow more patients to focus on healing— rather than on the financial stress that health challenges can cause.”  

Community President and CEO Bryan Mills emphasized that the group’s gift will have a tremendous impact on patients across Central Indiana.

“Rama Drive Realty’s philanthropy will help to ensure the kind of exceptional care that Community strives to provide for our patients,” said Mills. “I am grateful for their tremendous support which will go far in supporting Community’s mission to improve health and access to care for people in our communities.”

Foundation President and CEO Joyce Irwin reiterated the need for financial assistance programs for patients across Central Indiana. In fact, since its inception in mid-2014, the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund has distributed more than 650 vouchers and helped more than 525 unique patients across Community’s six regions of care.

“Far too often, patients must juggle battling a disease with a desperate need for financial help,” said Irwin. “With Rama Drive Realty’s donation, Community can offer support to more patients facing this kind of challenge. We are profoundly grateful for both their donation and trust in the Foundation, and we are pleased to steward their generosity in a way that will honor the memory of Lewis’ parents and close friend.”

Rama Drive Realty’s gift is the second totaling $1 million or more that Community Health Network Foundation has announced in recent months.  In October, local philanthropist Tony Alderson gifted $1.5 million to the Foundation to support integrative oncology programs—including holistic services like art therapy, yoga and massage—for Community’s patients.

About Community Health Network Foundation

Community Health Network Foundation is the not-for-profit philanthropic organization of Community Health Network, Central Indiana’s leader in providing convenient access to exceptional healthcare services, where and when patients need them.  Donations support patients, caregivers and Central Indiana communities.  For more information, visit eCommunity.com/foundation or call (317) 355-GIVE.