Philanthropic Priorities

There is a special group of kids at Billings Clinic with cancer or other serious blood disorders known as Kelker’s Kids. Billings Clinic has been caring for Kelker’s Kids since 1978 when Dr. Paul Kelker started the first pediatric oncology program in Montana.

The Kelker’s Kids Fund was established at Billings Clinic Foundation to financially assist families during these difficult times. These children and their families face overwhelming challenges of prolonged cancer treatments, distressing side effects and an uncertain future. The fund helps families pay for expenses such as travel necessary for cancer treatment, rent, utility bills, and other needs.

One hundred percent of the funds raised for the Kelker’s Kids Fund go directly to families of patients who live in Montana or our service area.

Visit kelkerskids.com to learn more.

Billings Clinic has the largest Pediatric Specialty Clinic in the region which includes pediatric cardiology, neurology, urology, pulmonology, endocrinology, and neonatology. The Piggy Bank Fund provides much needed assistance, supporting families during some of the most trying times in their lives. The fund helps families pay for expenses such as utility bills, rent, travel costs, and other needs.

One hundred percent of the funds raised for the Piggy Bank Fund go directly to families of patients who live in Montana or our service area. Through the Piggy Bank Fund, Billings Clinic pediatricians and pediatric specialists care not just for kids but for entire families.

Getting the best healthcare sometimes means patients must travel far from home, oftentimes spending many days or weeks away. A typical stem cell patient will have to stay in the area for seven to ten days following the first procedure. They will then return two weeks later where they will be required to stay for one month. The emotional and financial burden on patients and caregivers can be overwhelming. The Patient Family Lodging Assistance Fund was set up to assist families when their healthcare treatment plan requires them to be away from home for extended periods of time.

Watching someone you love suffer is a difficult and heart-wrenching experience. Their pain is not only physical; it is emotional and spiritual as well. They grieve the loss of good health and often fear an unknown future. Families also struggle as they deal with the often-overwhelming circumstances of their loved one’s condition. Chaplains in our Pastoral Care Department are here to be as helpful and supportive as possible to all patients and families. Each chaplain has his or her own style in bringing comfort and care to patients, family members, and friends. All Billings Clinic chaplains are trained to offer respect for spirituality and religious traditions. Many patients at Billings Clinic come from out-of-town, and frequent visits from their hometown clergy are not always possible. Billings Clinic chaplains certainly can’t take that person’s place, but they can provide spiritual support and a listening ear while families are here in Billings. Your support of the Pastoral Care program ensures that Chaplains are available to contribute to healing in many ways, including:

• Spiritual and emotional care to help you and your family cope with illness
• Support through trauma or emergencies
• Sharing prayer, scripture, and sacraments
• Visitation before surgery for spiritual and emotional support
• Help in grief and loss, including a grief support group
• Assistance in connecting you with spiritual care resources that are important to you
• Sharing joy over good news
• Compassionate caring and listening
• Devotional services in the hospital chapel and the psychiatric center