“The boldness of the ONS vision statement—to lead the transformation in cancer care—necessitates excellence in oncology nursing. The ONS Foundation is dedicated to providing nurses with the resources to realize their goals in research, education, and leadership so they can achieve this excellence and provide quality cancer care in our communities.”
—Brenda M. Nevidjon, RN, MSN, ONS Foundation Trustee and Immediate Past President

Strategic Planning Leads to Continued Financial Support
2003 has been a year of continued commitment to generating the financial resources to achieve the ONS mission of promoting excellence in cancer nursing and quality cancer care. How can such a comprehensive program of funding be successful in today’s economy? Several important factors are in place that have enabled the ONS Foundation to maintain our ambitious awards program and achieve modest growth in 2003.

Essential to the ONS Foundation’s progress is a strategic fund-raising plan that was introduced in 2003. The Foundation trustees and staff are committed to successful implementation of the plan objectives, ensuring a steady yearly income stream and building for the future. We are fortunate to have an executive director and director of development working jointly to turn the plan into action. A skilled support staff provides the services essential to the efficiency and accuracy of the Foundation’s operations, and expert resources are available from other ONS departments.

Another essential element contributing to the growth of the Foundation is our investment portfolio. The Foundation holds a balanced portfolio that is professionally managed and regularly reviewed by the investment committee and the Board of Trustees. Our sights are clearly focused on the future as we continue to grow the endowment that was established in 1998.

Perhaps the least visible of the vital elements contributing to the success of the Foundation are the members of the Board of Trustees. We have a team that includes nurse executives, educators, and advanced practitioners. These highly skilled professionals serve along with a medical oncologist and research consultant and several members of the corporate business world.

During 2003, the ONS Foundation funded multiple scholarships, research grants, career development awards, and public education projects. Other special awards include the Mara Mogensen Flaherty Memorial Lectureship, the Ellyn Buskin Friend of the Foundation Award, International Union Against Cancer fellowships, the Connie Henke Yarbro Excellence in Cancer Nursing Mentorship Award, and many others.

We have a mission and a plan, we have the people to make it happen, we have a receptive public, and we are a proud part of ONS. Working together with you, how can we not be successful?
—Laura J. Hilderley, RN, MS
ONS Foundation President

Making Dreams Possible
In 2003, the ONS Foundation awarded more than 96 scholarships, grants, and awards, distributing a total of $329,302. This brings the total amount of financial support the Foundation has supplied the nursing community to more than $12,700,000 since its inception in 1982.

Donations to the ONS Foundation’s Center for Leadership, Information and Research (CLIR) have made many programs possible.

• Funding for the Appropriate Treatment Assures Quality (ATAQ) program helped to develop and implement its professional education components. In addition, the “Neutropenia Outcomes: Nurse Staffing and Environment Effects” research study was funded through ATAQ. Amgen Inc., supported this program.
• The Leadership Development Institute (LDI) was made possible in 2003 by funding from GlaxoSmithKline. The 50 members of the 2003 LDI class met at the ONS National Office in October.
• Funding for the Priority Symptom Management (PRISM) program helped to develop and implement professional education components about symptom management in patients with cancer. The funding also aided in the research study “Aligning Pain Reassessment Practices With Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines Through the Use of an Interdisciplinary Research Utilization Approach.” This program is supported by Ortho Biotech Products, LP.
• The endowment helped to fund the 2003 ONS Mentorship Weekend, which supports and educates local chapter leaders, and the ONS Multicultural Toolkit, which provides theoretical and cultural information that is applicable to and operational in any oncology nursing setting.

ONS Foundation Board of Trustees

Thanks to Our Donors

ONS Foundation 2003 Income and Expenses