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Dear Nursing Alumni,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your professional and personal journey. As Dean of 
the College of Nursing, I am continually inspired by the dedication, compassion, and resilience that 
define our alumni community. You are a testament to the strength and impact of our program.

Today, I write to ask for your support in uplifting the next generation of nurses—students who are 
walking the same path you once did, often while navigating unexpected and significant challenges.

Your donation will directly support two vital initiatives: Nursing CARES and the Giving Tree.

Nursing CARES – The Nursing Cares Fund is established to assist Downstate College of Nursing 
students in meeting immediate financial expenses due to unforeseen, temporary hardships. Awards of up 
to $500 are granted to eligible students to help them maintain their academic progression and overall 
well-being. These funds provide critical relief when all other resources have been exhausted. Covered 
expenses include:

• Textbooks and unexpected educational costs
• Travel due to death or illness of an immediate family member
• Medications
• Food and basic living necessities
• Utilities
• Technological support
• Clothing
• Shelter
• Disaster relief

For many students, this support can mean the difference between continuing their education or being 
forced to pause their dreams.

The Giving Tree reflects our commitment to rewarding excellence, fostering growth, and providing 
meaningful financial assistance. Scholarships and awards are distributed based on careful review by a 
College of Nursing committee. These opportunities are designed to recognize achievement while 
addressing the evolving needs of our current students. The availability, amount, and frequency of these 
scholarships depend entirely on the generosity of donors like you.

Our students today face increasing financial pressures, and many are balancing rigorous academic 
demands with personal and economic hardships. Your contribution—no matter the size—has a direct 
and lasting impact. Every gift helps ensure that deserving students can continue their education, remain 
focused on their goals, and ultimately join the nursing profession ready to make a difference. 

I invite you to give back to the community that helped shape your career. Together, we can provide 
critical support, inspire success, and strengthen the future of nursing. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to our College of Nursing and to the profession we all hold 
dear.

With gratitude,

Lori A. Escallier, Ph.D. RN CPNP-PC, FAAN 
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing