St. Luke's asking for votes to win LIVESTRONG grant

St. Luke's Hospital has been selected as a candidate for the LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project, which was created to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the United States. Finalists will be determined through an online voting campaign that begins TODAY, Mar. 7 at 10 a.m. CST.  Applicants with the top votes per region will receive a financial award of support to replicate and implement a sustainable program dedicated to supporting families fighting cancer. CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR ST. LUKE'S.

Finalists will also receive tools and resources from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the organization established in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action against the world's leading cause of death. The foundation is now known publicly by its powerful brand – LIVESTRONG – and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today.

St. Luke's is among hundreds of organizations still in contention for the award. If selected, St. Luke's will use the awarded funds to bring LIVESTRONG's The Creative Center- Hospital Artist-in-Residence Program to the hospital. The Creative Center has been dedicated to bringing the arts to people with cancer and chronic illness through all stages of life as a way to help them discover their own creative resources while meeting the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The Artist-in-Residence program helps cancer survivors deal with the stresses of treatment through artistic expression. The program will work bedside and in small group settings with men, women and children – in oncology units, bone marrow transplant units, intensive care/respiratory units, hospice and palliative care programs.

“We are thrilled and honored to be selected as a candidate for the Community Impact Project,” said Kimberly Ivester, St. Luke's Cancer Care director.  “We share LIVESTRONG's passion for inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer and look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families.”

The 2012 Community Impact Project will offer nearly $1.4 million in implementation awards to 90 finalists.  This represents the largest number of financial awards LIVESTRONG has granted in a single year in the history of the foundation.  LIVESTRONG is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested more than $70 million in community-centered organizations.

Voting ends on March 23, 2012 at 5 p.m. CST. 

Click here for more information about the LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project and TO VOTE FOR ST. LUKE'S! For more information about St. Luke's, visit

stlukescr.org.