A NIGHT IN THE VALLEY

Over the last five years, Anne C. Stupp has transitioned from a grateful patient to a fierce Valleywise Health Foundation advocate. Now, she and her dear friend and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 2024 Outstanding Philanthropist Award recipient, Nita Francis, will co-chair the Foundation’s annual A Night in the Valley fundraiser on November 9, 2024, in Phoenix.

Anne C. Stupp is a community volunteer with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit boards focusing on environmental and health services. She has a background in design and has held leadership roles in several companies. Anne has received multiple awards for her fundraising efforts, which have raised millions of dollars and increased community awareness for various organizations.

In 2019, Anne had an unplanned experience with Valleywise Health. She developed an infection, necrotizing fasciitis, often referred to as flesh-eating bacteria, in her leg. It led to 11 surgeries, a life-saving amputation, and more than seven months in the hospital. Dr. Kevin Foster and Dr. Salvatore Lettieri from the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health were instrumental in saving her life. The personal experience sparked Anne’s passion to spread the word about Valleywise Health.

“The Valleywise Health mission to provide exceptional care, without exception, every patient, every time resonates with me,” said Anne, a lifelong philanthropist. “The remarkable care and support I received during my stay inspired me to raise funds for key Valleywise Health programs, including educational resources, research, programming, and critical patient services.”

Nita Francis is the former Valleywise Health Foundation board chair and a retired labor and delivery nurse. She has a long history of philanthropy and community involvement, including her F2 Family Foundation, which focuses on healthcare and education. In addition, Nita and her husband Phil were the co-chairs of the ALL IN Campaign for Valleywise Health. Launched in 2020 by Valleywise Health Foundation, this first major campaign effort more than doubled its original campaign goal of $25,000,000, ending 2023 with $54,123,689 raised. The ALL IN Campaign supported program and patient needs and helped augment voter-approved bonds designated solely for renovating and rebuilding aging facilities.

“I have been involved in the Valleywise Health Foundation mission for 20 years,” said Nita. “My first connection was through the medical interpreter project for Maricopa County. The system created the best medical interpretive program in the region, and we were able to share our expertise with other hospitals. I was impressed with our public teaching hospital’s willingness to not only develop special solutions but then to share its intellectual property freely for mutual benefit.”

“I’m honored to co-host A Night in the Valley with my good friend Anne,” said Nita. “This major event has evolved from rather modest beginnings to the great big party it is today. I love that it’s such a fun time and that it honors special people and programs at Valleywise Health. Without the dedication and commitment of our committee and community, the state’s most vulnerable populations would not get the care and services they need and deserve.”

A Night in the Valley is the Foundation’s largest philanthropic event each year. In 2023, the event exceeded goals and raised more than $1 million to support Valleywise Health’s mission. Held at J.W Marriott Desert Ridge, this year’s event will raise awareness and money for graduate medical education, patient care, and program needs at Valleywise Health. Guests will enjoy live music from country recording artist Mitchell Tenpenny and local performers Tyler Dial and Sidney Bird while they celebrate Valleywise Health’s healthcare heroes.