Philanthropists Join Forces to Honor our Nurse Heroes with International Art Contest

Northwell Health of New York Announced as First Beneficiary

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Jun 17, 2020, 08:12 ET

NEW YORK, June 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Motivated philanthropists from across the United States are joining forces to create 'Nurse Heroes', an international art contest to honor our nursing professionals and provide funds for programs including scholarships for nurses and their children. Finalists and winners will be part of a celebration hosted online by celebrity ambassadors and featured on the iconic digital billboards of Times Square, New York City. The contest is open to adults and children of all ages and genders. Participation in the contest is free, but art entered will help raise donations for the benefit of nurses and their families.

Photo of Cady Chapman RN, ICU Nurse Lenox Hill, NY at a recent ‘7pm Cheer’ at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City.
Photograph by Ms. Karen Cunningham. — Photo of Cady Chapman RN, ICU Nurse Lenox Hill, NY at a recent ‘7pm Cheer’ at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City. Photograph by Ms. Karen Cunningham.

At Davos House, Switzerland January 25th, 2020, left to right: Ms. Sandi Nicholson Philanthropist and Art Collector and Ms. Elaine Brennan, Executive Director Northwell Health. Painting from the ‘Women Who Dared’ collection, titled Florence, by Ms. Lyla Harcoff

Art collectors and philanthropists, Ms. Sandi Nicholson and her husband Mr. Bill Nicholson of Santa Barbara, CA, on becoming supporters of 'Nurse Heroes' explained, "This year we celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing and the first nursing college. Today, the legacy of Florence Nightingale continues, with people all over the world opening their doors and windows to show appreciation for our healthcare workers on the front lines. With 'Nurse Heroes' we recognized an opportunity to do more."

Sandi emphasized, "There is an urgent need to support our nurses and their families. We face a rapidly accelerating shortage of nurses. Prior to COVID-19 we had a shortage of trained nurses in the United States; if nothing changes by 2022 we will have about 1 million fewer nurses than we need." Sandi explained, "Art has been shown to heal, inspire and motivate. By joining this exciting art contest, everyone can help honor and celebrate our nurse heroes. Donations to 'Nurse Heroes' will provide important opportunities and resources for our nurses and their families."

In support of 'Nurse Heroes', the Nicholsons have provided a generous gift from their 'Women Who Dared' art collection, the largest collection of work exclusively by women artists in private hands.

This will be the first time the 'Women Who Dared' collection is exhibited to the public. The collection includes over 330 pieces of art, spanning 2,500 years, from all 7 continents around the world. Sandi highlighted, "About 90% of all nurses are women, making 'Nurse Heroes' a perfect fit for the 'Women Who Dared' collection."

Commencing in July of 2020, twelve monthly 'Nurse Heroes' art contests will take place. There are four art categories which the public can enter: Painting, Drawing, Photography, and Poetry. Each month, celebrity ambassadors will announce the finalists and winners online. Contestants' art will be exhibited alongside the 'Women Who Dared' collection in the 'Nurse Heroes' digital gallery.

When conditions permit, the public will have the chance to see the art of finalists, winners and the 'Women Who Dared' collection in-person, as part of a gallery exhibition in Times Square, NYC.

Sandi revealed Northwell Health as the first beneficiary of 'Nurse Heroes', "For their legacy of contributions to the communities they serve and the distinguished service provided by their front line healthcare and nursing professionals during the COVID crisis, we are delighted to select the nurses of Northwell as the first beneficiary of 'Nurse Heroes' and the 'Women who Dared' collection."

"We are sincerely grateful for the Nicholsons' support and Nurse Heroes effort. Over the past several months, more than 20,000 team members of Northwell's nursing staff have shown remarkable grit and selflessness as they faced the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York," said Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health. "I applaud efforts like the Nurse Heroes who honor the unwavering dedication of nurses – they are a special breed who deserve recognition, especially during this challenging time."

Donations to 'Nurse Heroes' are powered by Pledgeling, the leading digital fundraising platform utilized by over two million non-profits around the world. Donations can be made by visiting 'Nurse Heroes', or texting the word CANDLE to 707070.

Evite.com has created 'Nurse Heroes' themed digital invitations to help friends and family get together to create art and enter the 'Nurse Heroes' contest. Evite is the world's leading digital platform for bringing people together to celebrate their most important life moments.

About Northwell: Northwell Health is the largest healthcare provider in New York and amongst the largest in the nation. During the first 2 months of the COVID-19 crisis, Northwell Health was at the epicenter providing medical care to over 40,000 people with the support of a team of 77,000 employees, including over 3,300 physicians and 20,000 nurses. Northwell Health strives to improve the health of the communities they serve and are committed to providing the highest quality clinical care; educating the current and future generations of healthcare professionals; searching for new advances in medicine through the conduct of biomedical research; promoting health education; and caring for the entire community regardless of the ability to pay.

SOURCE Nurse Heroes Foundation