Alta Bates Summit Foundation’s fundraising effort for the Medical Center’s new $12.5 million breast center is making history.

“The support the Foundation has provided to make the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center a reality represents the single largest philanthropic effort we’ve undertaken since the merger of Summit and Alta Bates medical centers in 1999,” says Debra Barnes, the Foundation’s associate director. “The Read family’s initial gift encouraged the Medical Center, the Foundation, and the breast center’s medical director, Lisa Bailey, M.D., to visualize their dream. The Foundation then explored ways to raise the funds, and we provided $6.5 million from a variety of donors. An additional $3 million came from Alta Bates Summit’s parent, Sutter Health.”

The Foundation also appreciates the generous donations from the larger East Bay community, she adds. “We’re grateful for the many women and their families who have stepped forward to contribute, as well as for the many organizations that have traditionally supported a variety of good causes and are turning their attention to support of the breast center,” says Barnes. “We’re confident that the remaining $3.5 million will be raised in the coming year.”