Philanthropy Brings Hope and Answers to a Grieving Family

When a young mother passed away unexpectedly, her heartbroken children were left facing an uncertain future. In the midst of their grief, troubling questions arose: Was the parent’s cause of death—a suspected rare genetic heart condition—also a risk for the children? The family now confronted not only loss, but the possibility that this hidden threat could affect another loved one.

Moved by their story, Kaci Ramsey, Vice President of Revenue Cycle at Confluence Health, reached out to the Foundation with a heartfelt request. This is when compassion, advocacy, and philanthropy came together to create a meaningful moment for a family in crisis.

In her email to the Foundation, Kaci explained, “This issue is particularly close to my heart. My father died unexpectedly at 51 from a pulmonary embolism, and we later discovered he had a genetic blood clotting disorder. Thankfully, my brother and I were able to get tested and not live with the fear of having the same condition. As I walk by the emergency department at Confluence Health, Central Campus where he died every day, I can’t help but think about this family and the uncertainty they might face.”

Kaci wanted to know if the Foundation had funds available to help determine whether the deceased parent had the rare genetic condition, potentially inherited by their children. Dr. Becket Mahnke, Confluence Health’s Chief Medical Director of Information Technology and a pediatric cardiologist working on this case, recommended testing the parent’s blood. This would provide a clear answer about the children’s risk. Without such testing, the children would face ongoing anxiety and potentially costly cardiac diagnostic procedures throughout their lifetime. Knowing there was still a sample available with the county coroner’s office, they had a small window of opportunity to provide some answers for the family.

Fortunately, philanthropy and fate aligned. Funding was available through the Compassionate Care Fund, established in honor of Carol Wardell—a beloved friend of the Confluence Health Foundation, former board member, and respected community leader. Carol received the Foundation’s “Spirit of A.Z. Wells” Award in 2019, and proceeds from that gala helped build the fund. Carol was open about her own courageous medical journey, which included battling kidney disease and a heart condition—an uncanny parallel with the family in need. Although Carol passed away in 2024, her legacy lives on through the Compassionate Care Fund.

Known to staff as “Carol’s fund,” the Compassionate Care Fund paid for the critical testing creating a full circle moment. Carol’s generosity inspired the fund, and Kaci’s empathy and advocacy brought comfort and clarity to a family during their darkest hour. This story reminds us that when compassion, advocacy, and philanthropy unite in our local community, lives are changed for the better.