Mélange 2008 to Honor Hopedale’s Gannett Family
Grandson of Milford Hospital’s founding family is honored at Golden Age of Hollywood Gala

 Milford, MA – Hopedale residents Bill and Nancy Gannett are philanthropists in the truest sense of the word, generously offering time and financial assistance and never seeking personal recognition. Bill’s grandfather, former Massachusetts Governor Eben S. Draper, generously donated the land on which the original Milford Hospital was built in 1903. His mother, Dorothy Draper Gannett, was instrumental in building the Milford Hospital Nursing School two years after the hospital opened. On Saturday, April 12^th, as part of Mélange 2008, Milford Regional Medical Center’s annual black-tie fundraising gala, the Gannett family will be honored for their legacy of support of Milford Regional Medical Center.

            “You’ll never find two finer members of our community,” said Francis M. Saba, CEO of Milford Regional Medical Center Inc. “Bill has been on the hospital’s Board of Trustees since 1956 and Nancy has served as a volunteer, been part of our finance committee and served as treasurer of the hospital auxiliary for 20 years. Milford Regional looks forward to honoring them, though they have long been given to tremendous modesty. We look forward to saluting their entire family.”

            In addition to the work of Bill and Nancy Gannett, Milford Regional recently received a $2 million bequest from the estate of Richard B. Gannett, son of the hospital’s former president John D. Gannett. “Richard was a very generous person who gave to others throughout his lifetime,” said Richard’s cousin, Ben Gannett, who is handling the details of the bequest. “He felt a special affinity for Milford Regional because of his father’s position and his family’s history with the hospital.”

            This most recent support of Milford Regional by a Gannett family member underscores their importance to health care in this community.

            To enhance the Hollywood theme at the event, top sponsors will receive a gold statuette, dubbed The Gannett, during an awards ceremony.   

            “It’s going to be a great event, with appearances by Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe,” reports Saba, “as well as a private performance by Ruth and Issa Pointer of the legendary Pointer Sisters.”  All proceeds from tickets to the event, as well as sponsorships and auction, will help to expand Milford Regional’s cardiac services.

 

About Milford Regional Medical Center

Milford Regional is full-service, community and regional teaching hospital. With 121 beds, this nonprofit, acute-care facility serves a region of 20-plus Massachusetts towns. With close to 200 physicians on the active medical staff and an additional 100 courtesy or consulting physicians, patients receive high-quality care in multiple specialties.