Small Contributions Lead to Big Impact

Positioned right below the Bryan Health boomerang logo at the April Sampson Cancer Center, the Gail Bachinski bench is in an ideal location for a patient to take a break from treatment or wait for their ride home. The story behind the name on the bench is one of generosity, loss and love.

Gail passed away from ovarian cancer in 2013, long before the state-of-the-art cancer center opened in 2024. She wasn’t treated there, nor was she treated for this ailment anywhere at Bryan. But through the efforts of her husband, Charles, her memory lives on in south Lincoln.

Charles and Gail met in college in Missouri. When he first met her, he thought she was from Texas.

“It turns out her roommate was from Texas, and Gail had a very good ear for mimicking,” Charles remembers.

After a stop in Iowa, Gail’s home state, the couple eventually settled in Lincoln. Charles worked at Montgomery Ward and Latsch’s Inc. before retiring. He now works part-time at Hy-Vee.

A skilled musician, Gail played violin in local orchestras and sang in operettas when she wasn’t working for Lincoln Public Schools. She also dedicated many hours to their church, “holding every post except for minister,” Charles said.

The Bachinskis had two children, Matthew and Sarah, who both still live in Lincoln. Matthew works at Bryan Health as a biomedical electronics technician.

One day, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Charles heard about the plans for a new cancer center and called the Bryan Foundation to see how he could help.

“For my family, Bryan has always been the hospital for us considering we’ve lived a few blocks away from East Campus,” he said. “I heard they were going to develop this new center, and I wanted to contribute.”

Charles started to donate $100-150 per month with money left over after personal expenses. As of July 2025, he has donated every month since January 2021 toward cancer and pediatric treatment.

His small, steady contributions have added up to almost $7,000 over the years, qualifying him to have a bench dedicated in his wife’s honor.

“I like the bench because people who knew her might see it and remember her,” he said. “She was so dynamic in everything she did. Although she’s gone, at least there’s remembrance of her here.”

When Charles visits his wife’s bench, he has a view of the dozens of cars in the cancer center parking lot. He feels comfort and satisfaction knowing his contributions have benefited countless individuals treated there. He keeps giving because he knows that his money will continue to help people, even if he never knows them.

“I’m pleased to see I had a part in making this place happen.”

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To learn how you can support the work of Bryan Health, please contact the Bryan Foundation staff by calling 402-481-8605.