By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
On a crisp afternoon in October, a social worker at CarolinaEast Medical Center picked up the phone to call a patient. The woman on the other end of the line had missed two chemotherapy appointments. She wasn’t ignoring her doctors. She simply didn’t have the gas money to get there.
Within hours, thanks to the CarolinaEast Foundation, a gas card was in her hands and her next treatment was back on the calendar.
It wasn’t a huge grant or a complicated program—just a practical answer to a very real problem. But for that patient and her family, it meant everything.
That’s the quiet, everyday work of the CarolinaEast Foundation in New Bern.
Quiet Help in Times of Crisis
Founded in 1996 as the Craven Regional Medical Center Foundation, this local nonprofit was created by hospital leaders and community members who saw what insurance and standard programs couldn’t cover: the financial fallout that often comes with illness.
Today, as the CarolinaEast Foundation, its mission is straightforward and local: to promote health in our region, support the healthcare community, and assist individuals with healthcare needs.
In practice, that mission often looks like meeting people at their most vulnerable moments.
Through its Patient Assistance Program, the Foundation helps with:
• Prescription medications
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Transportation to and from treatment
“Sometimes something as simple as a gas card makes it possible for someone to get to an important appointment,” staff explain. “We see firsthand how a little help can relieve a great deal of worry for a patient or family during a difficult time.”
In fiscal year 2026 alone, the Foundation assisted more than 1,000 families across eastern North Carolina, providing $322,430 in direct support for healthcare needs.
Their service area is broad and extends to people living in the five counties: Craven, Jones, Pamlico, Carteret, and Onslow counties, and serves families regardless of where they receive their healthcare.
100% Local, 100% to the Mission
One of the Foundation’s defining strengths is its close relationship with the health system it supports.
In 2010, the organization became the CarolinaEast Foundation and formally integrated with CarolinaEast Health System. That partnership came with a major benefit: the health system covers the Foundation’s operating expenses.
The impact of that decision is simple and powerful: 100% of the funds raised go directly to supporting the mission.
Donors aren’t paying for overhead or administration—they’re underwriting gas cards, medical equipment, support groups, scholarships, and grants that stay right here in the region.
A Safety Net That Reaches Beyond the Hospital
While individual patient assistance is at the heart of the Foundation’s story, its work doesn’t stop there.
Fueling Local Health Initiatives
Every year, the CarolinaEast Foundation awards grants to nonprofits that are working on the front lines of local health.
In March 2026, it awarded a record $325,661 in grants to 31 local organizations providing health-related services throughout the region—the largest amount the Foundation has ever awarded in a single grant cycle.
These grants help fund everything from community clinics and health education programs to mental health services and support for people living with chronic conditions.
Strengthening Care Inside CarolinaEast
The Foundation also invests directly in CarolinaEast Health System itself.
Departments and physician practices can apply for grants to address critical needs and enhance patient care. Foundation funding has been used for:
• New medical equipment
• Patient comfort and support services
• Continuing education for nurses and clinical staff
• Special projects aimed at improving the patient and family experience
These are often the extras that may not fit within a standard operating budget, but make a tangible difference at the bedside.
Investing in the Next Generation
Recognizing that great care starts with great professionals, the Foundation also manages several scholarship funds, including:
• Nursing scholarship funds:
– Joseph Hageman Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund
– Beatrice and Robert Honnet Nursing Scholarship Fund
– David Elliott Nursing Scholarship Fund
– The Ray Leggett Allied Health Scholarship Fund
This past year, nearly $70,000 in scholarships helped nursing and allied health students move closer to careers serving local patients.
Local Leadership, Local Passion
At the helm of the CarolinaEast Foundation is Executive Director Jared Brinkley, who stepped into the role in May 2021.
Brinkley returned to his hometown with a clear purpose: to connect generous people with real needs in their own backyard.
“I am passionate about connecting people’s desire to give with opportunities to make a meaningful difference locally,” he says.
He’s joined by a volunteer Board of Directors, currently chaired by Scott Griggs. These board members lend their professional expertise and community insight to make sure every dollar is used thoughtfully and effectively.
Together, staff and board are stewards of a mission that’s both practical and deeply personal: helping neighbors when health challenges threaten to overwhelm them.
Fundraising With a Local Flavor
If you’ve lived in or around New Bern for any length of time, you’ve probably crossed paths with the CarolinaEast Foundation—maybe without even realizing it.
Its fundraising calendar is packed with events that blend community spirit, local business support, and philanthropy.
The Heartbeat: CarolinaEast Employee Campaign
The single most important source of support comes from inside the hospital walls.
In 2026, CarolinaEast employees and volunteers contributed an astonishing $440,410 through the annual CarolinaEast Employee Campaign.
Doctors, nurses, techs, support staff, and volunteers all choose to give back on top of the care they provide every day. Their generosity is a strong statement: they believe in the Foundation because they see its impact firsthand.
Community Events That Give Back
Beyond the employee campaign, the Foundation relies on a creative mix of events—some run in-house, others hosted by dedicated partners. A few standouts:
• Santa’s North Pole Experience
Formerly known as Breakfast with Santa, this family favorite benefits the Patient Assistance Program, turning holiday magic into direct help for local patients.
• Journey of Hope Golf Tournaments
These tournaments raise funds for local cancer patients and cancer support services.
• Dining Out Against Cancer
Area restaurants and diners team up to support cancer care, one meal at a time.
• Colors 4 Cancer Walk/Run
A vibrant event supporting the Journey of Hope Cancer Support Fund and honoring those affected by all types of cancer.
• Craven Cancer Classic Golf Tournament
Supporting the Scott Davenport/Brian Fisher/John Aylward Cancer Warrior Fund, this tournament helps local cancer patients with practical needs.
• Joseph Hageman Nursing Scholarship Dinner
An evening dedicated to raising funds for nursing education.
• New Bern Fluff Cup Golf Tournament
Raises support for patient assistance and other local healthcare initiatives.
• Chalk It Up for Cancer Pool Tournament
A cue-sport competition benefiting the Journey of Hope Cancer Support Fund.
• New Bern Cancer Ride
Cyclists take to the road to raise money and awareness for cancer support.
• The Amazing Brain Race
A dynamic event raising funds for those affected by brain injury.
• Bear-B-Q
A community barbecue with a memorable name, supporting the Foundation’s programs.
And then there’s the event that tells the Foundation’s story best:
Radiothon: Stories Over the Airwaves
Each year, the CarolinaEast Foundation Radiothon brings the Foundation’s mission to life on the radio waves.
This year’s Radiothon will celebrate 30 years of giving, sharing voices from people who helped launch the Foundation and those whose lives have been touched by its work.
Listeners will hear how community generosity supports:
• Local patients in crisis
• Cancer care and support funds
• Healthcare education and scholarships
• Patient-centered hospital projects
You can tune in to Magic 103.3 FM on Friday, November 20, 2026 to hear those stories—and, if you’re moved, become part of the next chapter.
How You Can Help
The CarolinaEast Foundation’s work is built on partnerships—with individuals, families, businesses, civic groups, and local organizations. There are many ways to get involved:
Volunteer, Sponsor, or Host a Fundraiser
You can:
• Volunteer at an event
• Become a business sponsor
• Organize your own fundraiser benefiting the Foundation
• Serve as an ambassador by sharing information within your networks
To explore opportunities, contact the Foundation office:
Phone: 252-633-8247
Email: cfoundation@carolinaeasthealth.com
Make a Gift
Donations can be made:
Online: Visit carolinaeastfoundation.com and use the secure donation page.
By Mail or In Person: Make checks payable to CarolinaEast Foundation and send or deliver to: CarolinaEast Foundation 2007-B Neuse Blvd. New Bern, NC 28560
You can:
• Support the Foundation’s mission broadly
• Designate your gift to a specific fund or area (such as cancer support, scholarships, or patient assistance)
• Make a gift in honor or memory of someone special
• Discuss named funds or long-term giving options with staff if you’d like to create a lasting legacy
Visit, Call, or Click
The CarolinaEast Foundation office is conveniently located just across from CarolinaEast Medical Center:
Address: 2007-B Neuse Boulevard, New Bern, NC 28560
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Phone: 252-633-8247
Website: carolinaeastfoundation.com
Facebook: facebook.com/carolinaeastfoundation
Why It Matters Here at Home
Health crises don’t just arrive in exam rooms. They show up in pharmacies, and kitchen-table budget meetings. They test not only the body, but the stability of everyday life.
The CarolinaEast Foundation exists in that space between medical care and real life—the gap where a $50 gas card, a scholarship, or a piece of equipment can change the trajectory for a patient, a family, or even an entire department.
By focusing its efforts on Craven, Jones, Pamlico, Carteret, and Onslow counties—and by ensuring every donated dollar goes directly to its mission—the Foundation keeps one promise at the center of everything it does:
If you live here and you’re facing a health crisis, you’re not alone. Your community is standing with you.