b'10 CONCORD HOSPITAL TRUSTCONCORD HOSPITAL TRUSTEE & AMBASSADORLike many residents of the Concord area,Mariannes strengths on the Trust Marianne Cook began her relationshipBoard of Trustees are her wide-ranging with Concord Hospital when she and hercommunity connections and long history husband, Jim, had their two children. of fundraising. For decades, she has Over the following decades, the Cooksvolunteered as a leader, board member bond with the Hospital strengthened, asand fundraiser for many community they donated major gifts and countlessorganizations and enjoyed more than a hours that helped the Hospital growdecade as a championship tennis coach into the respected, regional healthcareat Concord High and St. Pauls School. Local access to such a high level of care organization it has become today. wasnt always available, especially forI have lived in Concord for 56 years, James passed away in 2017. He hadcancer care, as the Cooks learned whenso I have gotten to know a lot of people served as a Hospital Trustee and wasJames developed the \x1f rst of severalthrough a lot of a\x1dliations, she said. bestowed the honor of Emeritus Trusteecancers and had to travel to Boston andThat helps with fundraising.with the Concord Hospital Trust. AlongManchester for care. The experienceIt also helps that Marianne knows \x1f rst-with Marianne, James was a successfulmotivated the Cooks to volunteer ashand of the caliber of care the Hospital fundraiser and tireless ambassador forfundraisers for the campaign to build theprovides and the importance of having the Hospital. Payson Center for Cancer Care and to makethat care in the community, partly because a substantial gift themselves. of the expert care James received for Marianne, now in her second term asMajor gifts and their fundraising energyvarious serious illnesses and because of a Trustee of Concord Hospital Trust,helped establish the Payson Centerswhat shes learned as a Trustee.continues the generosity establishedRadiation Oncology Department and more than 20 years ago. In thatupgrade and expand the HospitalsThe Hospital does so much, she said. I role, she helps raise, administer andEmergency Department. Both now arehad no idea until I got on the Trust Board distribute charitable donations fornamed for the generous couple. and saw the requests for funds from various Hospital programs and services thatorganizations and Hospital programs. support expert care for the community. I feel pride when Im driving up and theHer goal is to help the Hospital adapt and see the sign, Marianne said of the signcontinue to improve care.outside the Emergency Department. It lifts my spirit because I remember the oldThe more we can do here, the less emergency room and the upgrades thatpeople have to go out of the community, came after the fundraising. Marianne said. You dont have to do that now.'