SPRINGFIELD – Memorial Medical Center Foundation’s 27th annual employee giving campaign raised nearly $268,000 to improve the lives of patients and co-workers throughout Memorial Health System.

MASH (Memorial Annually Supports Health) is the foundation’s second largest annual fundraiser. MASH funds support patient care, education, employee assistance and clinical research at Memorial.

A total of 916 employees gave $267,490 during the one-month campaign. More than $4.5 million has been raised through MASH since its inception in 1989.

“Our employees make a difference every day for patients and families. The fact that they are so generous, too, is really inspiring,” said Elena Kezelis, executive director of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

This year, employees designated more than $138,000 to specific departments, units, affiliates and funds, such as cancer patient assistance or SystemCare, which provides financial support to Memorial employees who experience a personal emergency. About $127,000 was left unrestricted for health-related grants awarded by the Foundation.

Memorial Medical Center, Memorial Physician Services, Memorial Home Services and Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, all Memorial Health System affiliates, participate in MASH.