Ascension Health Supports Seton Institute’s Tsunami Relief Efforts

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascension Health has donated $100,000 to support the tsunami relief efforts of Seton Institute, an organization that provides funding and medical supplies to support the healthcare work of Catholic Sisters around the world. In addition to this system donation, Ascension Health associates from across the country have donated more than $150,000 to Seton Institute over the last two weeks. Ascension Health is the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050113/CGTH048 )

Seton Institute supports Catholic Sisters in each of the countries hardest hit by the tsunami. The majority of the Sisters supported by Seton Institute are natives of the countries in which they work. They have lived and worked in these communities their entire lives, which gives them a unique ability to understand and respond to the needs of the people.

"We are honored to be able to offer this financial support to Seton Institute," said Anthony Tersigni, President and CEO of Ascension Health, who delivered the donation. "All of us at Ascension Health will continue to support the Sisters and this important disaster recovery work. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sisters and the people of Southeast Asia."

"This donation from Ascension Health is the largest single gift to date that Seton Institute has received," said Gene Smith, Executive Director, Seton Institute. "The support from Ascension Health and its associates is just overwhelming. We are so appreciative of all their support."

Seton Institute will send 100 percent of every donation directly to the Sisters in the affected countries. The Institute guarantees that 100 percent of all donations will go directly to relief efforts because its operating costs are covered by Ascension Health.

Donations to support the work of Catholic Sisters in the areas most affected by the earthquake and tsunami should be sent to: Seton Institute, 1800 Sullivan Ave., Suite 506, Daly City, CA 94015, Attn: Tsunami Disaster Relief. All donations are tax deductible.

Seton Institute ( http://www.setoninstitute.org/ ) was founded in 1985 to support the healthcare work of Catholic Sisters in developing countries throughout the world. The Institute helps Sisters provide healthcare, save lives and bring hope to the poorest of the poor through project grants, shipments of medial supplies and equipment and disaster relief assistance.

Ascension Health ( http://www.ascensionhealth.org/ ) has more than 106,000 associates serving in acute care hospitals and related facilities in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Consistent with its mission to serve all people with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable, Ascension Health provides clinically excellent care with an emphasis on innovation and a focus on transforming the healthcare industry.

CONTACT: Trudy C. Barthels of Ascension Health, +1-314-733-8207, cell,+1-314-703-0657, tbarthels@ascensionhealth.org

Web site: http://www.setoninstitute.org/http://www.ascensionhealth.org/