DAP Health unveils new donor-sponsored campaign to increase local care
DAP Health celebrated significant milestones of its Vision Forward Campaign at a May 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony. At the event, attendees met the campaign’s generous donors and learned more about the organization's Vision Forward strategy to expand health care to Coachella Valley residents.
It had been more than two years since many donors had visited the DAP campus, and many were visibly impressed by how the organization had grown during the pandemic. This season-closing event was the perfect opportunity for donors to see their support in action.
After a happy hour reception that featured a full bar and delicious bites (including mini-Reuben sliders) from Lulu Catering and Events, the tour began at the new Marc Byrd Mental Health Clinic, which was made possible by local philanthropist (and Desert Scene contributor) Al Jones.
"Marc Byrd was my husband of 26 years who died of pneumonia of unknown origin," Jones told the attendees. "He was HIV positive and undetectable for over 30 years, and he took his daily medications of 19 pills. But he did experience depression in the spring of 2018. He made a secret decision, that he did not share with me, to stop taking his medications ... The result of hiding his depression and not taking his medication ... resulted in a significantly depressed immune system ...
"Depression is a silent killer but it doesn’t need to be. That’s why I made this contribution to DAP Health in Marc's honor so that there can be a full mental health department that complements its overall healthcare program."
Donor Scot Karp, who along with his husband, sponsored the Marc Byrd reception area, said: “Lance and I were honored to participate in the new mental health clinic, as the need is so great for our community.”
The group was next led into the Sue Burnside Group Room, in the mental health clinic, where donor Burnside happily greeted guests.
"I'm a Palm Springs native," she said. "I just love this whole concept of group therapy. It was really great for me as a kid. I got kicked out of boarding school, I was a grumpy kid, so I'm so excited that I have the ability to donate this room. It's not just going to help gay people, it's going to help people with addictions. And I think the reality of group therapy is it really rebuilds connections for people, and they see themselves in other people's eyes ... I really think people's lives are going to be transformed in this room."
Also introduced to attendees was the Karla Kjellin-Elder and Jeff Elder Social Services Wing, a clinical bullpen made possible by Dante Noto, the Orange Clinic reception area, donated by Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa of the Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, the Jack Pugh Charitable Trust Chiropractic Suite — Yellow Clinic — and the reception area for the Blue Clinic, sponsored by Mike Fedderson and Tom McClay, who were not in attendance.
Closing out the event was David Brinkman, DAP Health's CEO, who thanked all of the organization's benefactors for their support.
DAP Health's mission is to enhance and promote the health and well-being of the community. For more information or to volunteer or make a donation, visit daphealth.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: DAP Health unveils new donor-sponsored campaign to increase local care
