September 25, 2026 – The JCF Hospital Foundation is grateful to the family of Bob Stark, a recently deceased Catheys Valley resident and beloved member of the community, for a very special donation made in his memory.
When Bob’s family saw that the Foundation was raising funds to purchase a $6,528 Arjo lift for John C. Fremont Healthcare District's Acute Department, they reached out. The family had a brand-new Arjo lift that had never been used, and, in the midst of their own grief and loss, they chose to donate it so it could help care for others in our community.
“There is something incredibly meaningful about a family experiencing loss and choosing to turn that grief into an act of generosity,” said Executive Administrator Miranda Wass. “Because of Bob’s family, a need at our hospital has been fulfilled, and this lift will now be here to support patients and the staff who care for them.”
“The Arjo Stand Assist Lift will help our team safely assist patients with mobility while preserving their dignity and reducing the risk of injury to patients, residents, and staff,” says Rachel Key, Chief Nursing Officer.
“We are deeply grateful to the Stark family for thinking of the hospital and for allowing Bob’s memory to live on in such a meaningful way,” said Wass.
Prior to hearing from the Stark family, community members had contributed $2,200 to the Hospital Foundation for this piece of equipment. The Foundation will allocate these donations towards the purchase of the next item on the Healthcare District’s list: a BiPAP machine with high flow oxygen capability.
A BiPAP machine (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) is a non-invasive medical device that assists with breathing by delivering pressurized air through a mask. Unlike standard CPAP machines that provide one continuous level of pressure, a BiPAP machine utilizes two distinct pressure levels to significantly reduce the effort required to breathe. It will be extremely valuable to have this medical device in the ER, as an alternative, when appropriate, to the much more invasive procedure of intubation.
If you would like to contribute to the ongoing campaign for a BiPAP machine, you can donate via check to JCFHF, PO Box 1093, Mariposa, CA 95338, or through the online fundraising site at www.jcfhospitalfoundation.org/get-involved/donate-now. Donations are tax-deductible.
The JCF Hospital Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the rural communities of the John C. Fremont Healthcare District to maximize health through partnership and philanthropy.
To stay up to date with the Foundation’s latest news, follow @jcfhospitalfoundation on Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up for the Foundation's quarterly newsletter: https://forms.gle/hzSQn5RnHzneDJC66.
Source & photo: JCF Hospital Foundation
