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Women’s Legacy Circle

More than $1 million in grants from the Women’s Legacy Circle have funded over 135 extraordinary healthcare projects at Carle Foundation Hospital and other sites throughout our Champaign-Urbana service area. Every year, this group of generous and compassionate women combine their resources, learn about the specific healthcare needs of the community they call home and decide how they want to spend their annual gifts. Since 2009, this one-of-a-kind giving circle has made an outsized impact not only at Carle, but also in the lives of the many individuals and families touched by their generosity. Become a part of this extraordinary group today – the larger the Women’s Legacy Circle grows, the greater their impact on the care Carle provides for all who depend on us.

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Our Women's Legacy Circle continues to make an impact for patients and families in Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Women’s Legacy Circle, lives are changed. In 2025, the giving circle awarded $82,000 to remarkable projects presented by Carle Health team members. Individual members went above and beyond, personally funding additional projects and raising the total awarded to nearly $112,000. But the impact didn’t stop there – because of our donors’ commitment, the Women’s Legacy Circle also stocked the pantry inside the Carle Auxiliary Guest House, providing nourishment in addition to their bountiful compassion.

Here’s a look at the projects funded in 2025:

  1. A painless alternative to traditional wart treatments helps hundreds of pediatric patients each year – reducing fear, discomfort and missed school days while improving clinical outcomes.
  2. A large-sized hygiene table restores dignity, privacy and comfort for older children with disabilities and older adults, by improving hygiene and easing physical strain on caregivers.
  3. A new seating solution enables safer positioning of critically ill patients, improving clinical care, reducing risk of injury, and supporting better respiratory and therapeutic outcomes.
  4. Touchless projector games for young patients reduce the spread of germs – while transforming wait times into engaging, educational experiences that lower stress and anxiety.
  5. Weighted blankets enhance patient comfort, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, offering a safe, nonmedication alternative to sedatives and restraints.
  6. A new stroke education class improves patient and family understanding of stroke care, builds confidence in managing recovery, and supports long term quality of life.
  7. Multisensory learning technology for children with hearing loss strengthens speech, language and listening skills during critical developmental stages.
  8. Improved wheelchairs expand access to appropriate mobility equipment for patients weighing up to 850 pounds, improving their comfort, safety and dignity while supporting our clinical staff.
  9. A new initiative reimagines the patient experience by delivering daily virtual reality therapy that promotes comfort, connection and emotional well being.
  10. New furniture creates a calmer, more dignified waiting environment for patients with cancer and their families, helping reduce anxiety during difficult moments.
  11. Sensory-friendly toys transform a waiting room into an inclusive space that keeps young children active, engaged and emotionally regulated.
  12. A portable, automated defibrillator ensures families staying at the Guest House have immediate access to lifesaving equipment in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.
  13. CareKits ease the transition home for families of children born with cleft lip and/or palate, providing essential tools and reassurance during a vulnerable time.
  14. Books empower patients with Ehlers Danlos syndrome through education, symptom-management resources and increased understanding of their condition.
  15. A smart TV creates a calmer, more engaging environment for patients undergoing lengthy allergy testing, improving comfort during visits that can last up to eight hours.