Helene and George Ettelson

[Originally published in CPMC Foundation’s newsletter Prime Scene, winter 2005]

A Personal Connection and a Commitment to the Community

When birthdays or other occasions that call for a gift occur at the George and Helene Ettelson household, the recipient of that gift — as often as not — is California Pacific Medical Center. “It is just one way that we can make a difference,” says Helene Ettelson.

“We prefer that family and friends make gifts to a fund that has been established at the Medical Center, rather than make personal gifts. We are deeply committed to California Pacific.”

It is a commitment that began when Mrs. Ettelson decided to spend her “extra time” volunteering. “I chose the Medical Center,” says Mrs. Ettelson. “But I thought it would only be for a matter of months.”

That was in 1984.

Today, 20 years later, Helene Ettelson remains an active Medical Center volunteer. She is the membership chair of the Guild, serves once a week on the Information Desk at the California Campus — and encourages others to donate both time and financial support.

Mrs. Ettelson certainly sets a good example. In addition to her volunteer work, she named California Pacific in her will and established a research fund at California Pacific Medical Center Foundation in the name of her father.

Each year, Mrs. Ettelson, her husband and their children make donations to the William Greenbach Cancer Research Fund. Then, there are the gifts of family and friends in lieu of birthday and similar presents.

“My father was a patient at California Pacific,” says Helene Ettelson, “so I feel a connection. The Foundation does a wonderful job, and through this fund we are able to help other patients.

“Philanthropy is very important,” says Mrs. Ettelson. “The philanthropic spirit can make a powerful statement about your commitment to the community and to the Medical Center.”

(NOTE: In 2006, George notified CPMC Foundation that, in addition to their ongoing support of various programs, he had designated CPMC as a beneficiary of his living trust. In January 2007, George passed away, but he left an enduring legacy to the people he touched and to the Medical Center he believed in. In 2009, Helene joined the Foundation's Board of Trustees.)