All employees are invited to Spring into Action as the Family Matters Campaign nears its conclusion on May 31. The initiative kicks off at the UTMB Service Pin Awards events on Feb. 15. Other events, including visits to individual departments by Family Matters Campaign Chair Dr. Al LeBlanc, will take place February through May.

Family Matters, a component of the $250 million Timeless Values, Pioneering Solutions comprehensive campaign that also concludes on May 31, offers UTMB faculty, staff and retirees an opportunity to contribute to areas of the university that have special meaning to them. Through a Family Matters gift, employees can support an uninsured patient who needs medications, a nursing student struggling to make ends meet or a fellow employee striving to broaden his or her educational horizons.

Family Matters priorities include Workforce Development, Employee Health and Wellness, Patient Care Complex, Moody Medical Library and the Helping Hands Fund. Employees are also welcome to contribute to any priority area within the Timeless Values, Pioneering Solutions Campaign, including Infectious Diseases, Biodefense and Vaccine Development; Access and Telehealth; Longevity, Chronic Disease and Neurological Recovery; and Innovations in Education.

While both Family Matters and Timeless Values, Pioneering Solutions were originally slated to end Dec. 31, 2008, progress toward the overall $250 million goal has been swift and university fundraisers are confident they can meet or exceed that goal this spring. Concluding the campaigns now paves the way for a new administration to chart its own course in terms of fundraising priorities for the institution.

To date, Family Matters has raised $9.7 million from 12 percent of eligible employees and retirees. Overall, Timeless Values, Pioneering Solutions has raised more than $238 million to support UTMB’s education, research and patient care missions.

The goal for Family Matters is to reach $15 million in cash contributions and pledges from 30 percent of employees by May 31. Pledges are payable over five years. Contributions and commitments made by May 15 will be recognized in the program for a Campaign Celebration event, held in conjunction with the June 8–9 Development Board Weekend.

Any amount is welcome. Every gift makes a difference in the lives of others. For more information, visit www.utmb.edu/familymatters or www.utmb.edu/campaign. To make a gift, contact the Office of University Advancement at 772-8783.