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How Denny Sanford Built a Healthcare Legacy That Changed Lives Beyond Medicine
The Inspiring Story of T. Denny Sanford’s Giving: How One Man Changed Healthcare
Who Is Denny Sanford and Why Does His Giving Matter?
T. Denny Sanford is a man who gave away almost $2 billion to help sick people. His kindness was real and powerful, and it will help people for many, many years.
- His way of giving was special: it had a start but no end.
- He lived by a saying: “Aspire to inspire before you expire.” (That means: try to encourage others before your life is over.) This saying never goes out of date.
- Sanford saw his job in life as: Make yourself useful.
Important: Sanford’s gifts didn’t just help for a little while. They crossed borders and science limits, and they keep helping people today.
What Motivated Him to Give?
In an interview with Miles Beacom (a bank boss), Sanford was asked why he gives. He said simply:
- “We are on earth to provide for other people, not just ourselves and our families.”
- “We all have the opportunity to work a little bit harder and help someone else, not just ourselves.”
From small towns in the Midwest to villages in Ghana, Africa, his help made it easier to bring healthcare to people who needed it.
He didn’t just give money for normal hospital beds. He gave almost $2 billion to Sanford Health and also helped other health groups, children’s causes, and schools.
In his region, this paid for:
- Universities
- Hospitals
- Sports arenas
- Research centers
- Playing fields
Bill Gassen (Sanford Health CEO) said:
“At the end of every single decision we make is a patient. And for Denny, at the end of every gift is a patient.”
A Life of Significance, Not Just Success
Miles Beacom shared a talk he had with Sanford:
- Sanford said he’d rather live a life of significance than a life of success.
- Beacom asked, “What’s the difference?”
- Sanford said many people are successful, but if you share and make the world better, that’s a life of significance.
One day, a pregnant woman and her father thanked Sanford. She said Sanford Health saved her and her baby from a deadly pregnancy problem. Tears flowed. That, he said, is significance.
Real Families Helped: Jaxon and Jeren
Jaxon and Jeren Scheff have a rare genetic disorder (a problem passed down in their family’s DNA).
- Jaxon: breathing trouble and poor vision.
- Jeren: born blind, big breathing struggles, 31 surgeries.
Dr. Patrick Munson explained Jeren’s nose was “squished,” so he couldn’t breathe as a baby.
When Jaxon was born, the local equipment to help him didn’t exist. By the time Jeren was born, it did—thanks to Sanford Children’s Castle of Care.
Their mom Jennifer said:
- Before, they’d have left town for care.
- With the Castle, they had pediatric specialists nearby.
- “They become more than just providers. They become a part of your family.”
Fun fact from Jeren: When little, he thought Denny Sanford lived in the Castle and was the king!
The History of Denny Sanford’s Philanthropy
It started in 2004 with $16 million to Sioux Valley Hospital. Here is a simple timeline:
2025: Sanford Black Hills Medical Center – $300 million
New high-tech campus in Rapid City, SD with ER, ICU, cancer care, women’s health, and kids’ services.
2021: Sanford Virtual Care Center – $350 million
One of the world’s best virtual care centers to help rural areas get care from far away.
2021: Graduate Medical Education & Community Health – $300 million
More doctor training (8 new programs) and 18 outdoor turf fields at Sanford Sports Complex.
2019: Enhancing Health Care for Veterans – $25 million
Free genetic testing program for veterans called PHASER.
2018: Sanford Health Hospice Care – $1 million
Support for Ava’s House, a hospice (end-of-life care) for kids and young adults.
2014: Sanford Imagenetics – $125 million
First program in the U.S. to use genetics in everyday adult care.
2011: Edith Sanford Breast Center – $100 million
Breast cancer research using a woman’s genetic code.
2007: Transformational Gift: Sanford Health – $400 million
Opened world clinics and diabetes research. Biggest gift ever to a U.S. health system then.
2006: University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine – $20 million
Better medical education, especially for kids’ health.
2004: Sioux Valley Hospitals & Health System – $16 million
Built a standalone children’s hospital in Sioux Falls.
Gassen said Sanford changed what giving means in healthcare and far beyond.
A Kiss and a Hug: Kendra’s Story
Kendra Gottsleben has MPS VI, a rare disease with no cure. She needs weekly infusions (medicine through a vein).
- She used to travel to Twin Cities for care.
- Now Sioux Falls/Sanford is a rare-disease hub.
- Dr. Laura Davis-Keppen said Kendra blossomed with enzyme therapy (the medicine that replaces what her body lacks).
Kendra is a national spokesperson and author. Her message to researchers:
“You need to know that the patients would give you a big kiss and a hug… What you’re doing is good. It’s helping us.”
Humble Start
Sanford grew up in a tiny 700-square-foot apartment in St. Paul, MN.
- Mom Edith died of breast cancer when he was 4.
- Dad William raised him and taught him to care for others.
- At age 8, he rode a trolley to his dad’s shop and swept floors.
He almost joined the Navy but got in a fight and earned 90 days in jail. He told the judge:
- “You gave me a wake-up call.”
- “If you let me out, I’ll go to college.”
- Judge said okay if he got in. He did (on probation) and earned a psychology degree in 1958.
His dad died when Denny was 20. Denny said his father was the most caring person and inspired his giving.
Business steps:
- Sales job, then started Contech Inc. (sealants company) in the 1960s.
- Took it public, sold it, became a multimillionaire.
- Tried retiring, then made Threshold Ventures (helped young business people).
- In 1986 bought a bank, renamed First Premier Bank and Premier Bankcard.
That money let him give big. In 2007, $400 million changed Sioux Valley into Sanford Health.
Today Sanford Health:
- 55,000 employees
- 2 million+ patients
- 58 hospitals, 289 clinics
- 145 senior care homes
- 4,500 physicians
- 1,100 studies
- Virtual care in ~80 specialties
Nelson (retired COO) said his gift changed their culture to “we can.”
Running to the Castle: Melissa’s Story
Melissa Olivier had breast cancer at 33. Her daughter Lena was born early with a heart block.
Dr. Keely Hack treated Melissa as a whole person, not just a patient. Melissa said Sanford became trusted family.
Dr. Hack said little girls now wear princess dresses and run into the Castle instead of away—“we’re in the right place.”
Sanford’s Legacy
Sanford listened to people with big healthcare dreams. His rural virtual care gift helps bring world-class care everywhere.
He said:
“It’s important to be a person whom others trust and respect.”
His ~$2 billion says: think big, trust others.
Dr. Eric Larson said most doctors only dream of such a place to work and change care. That needs great generosity like his.
Summary
Denny Sanford grew from a small apartment to a giving giant. He donated nearly $2 billion, built Sanford Health, and helped real kids like Jaxon, Jeren, and families like the Oliviers and Kendra. His motto—aspire to inspire before you expire—lives on in every patient cared for.
FAQ
1. What does “aspire to inspire before you expire” mean?
It means try to help and encourage others while you are alive, not after.
2. How much did Denny Sanford give to healthcare?
Almost $2 billion, including $400 million in 2007 to create Sanford Health.
3. Why is Sanford Children’s Castle of Care important?
It brought pediatric specialists and equipment locally so families like the Scheffs could stay together for care.
4. What is virtual care at Sanford?
It lets rural patients see doctors far away using technology, funded by Sanford’s 2021 $350 million gift.
5. Did Sanford come from a rich family?
No. He lived in a small apartment, lost his mom early, and learned caring from his dad.
