Our History

As a Bon Secours St. Francis donor, you're part of a legacy that started nearly 200 years ago. In 1824 in Paris, amidst the devastation following the French Revolution, a group of 12 women, led by the Spirit, came together to form the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours; French for “good help.” The sisters risked leaving the security of their cloister to nurse the sick and dying in their homes.

When they came to America in the late 1800s, the sisters identified the unique and pressing needs in each locale. Then they rallied community leaders and citizens to contribute their time, talent and treasure to help meet those needs. The charitable giving sought by the sisters funded the Catholic hospitals, home health services, day cares and long-term care facilities that ultimately became our own Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.

The Bon Secours St. Francis Foundation follows in the footsteps of the sisters by connecting generous donors with the causes and programs they're passionate to support, ensuring our region's growing health care needs are met with compassion and excellence.

Because of donor support, women can get breast cancer screenings in their own neighborhood with our mobile mammogram coaches or at the Pearlie Harris Center for Breast Health. People at the end of life's journey receive comfort care and compassionate support through Open Arms Hospice. And those suffering a stroke or other conditions of the brain and nervous system have world-class experts and technology at the new Diane Collins Neuroscience Institute. These are just a few examples of how donors like you save and improve lives.