Meet four generous MD Anderson donors
We recently sat down to chat with four generous MD Anderson donors. Keep reading to learn more about their connections to MD Anderson and their choices of charitable gifts.
Kimberly Summers
City: Richmond, Texas
Occupation: Oil field sales
Type of Gift: Retirement Plan (IRA)
Why I chose to give my IRA: I lost my husband Ric to a very rare form of cancer, appendiceal cancer, almost a year ago. I had to re-do my estate plans after my husband passed and I knew I wanted to give something significant to MD Anderson. My financial advisor said this would be the best option for me - nobody gets taxed and I continue adding to my gift every month. My IRA will go into a fund that I established specifically for appendiceal cancer research, and I'm proud that we've already raised more than $75,000 through our annual clay shooting tournament and generous monetary donations from family and friends.
Why MD Anderson: Finding a cure and establishing a treatment plan for appendiceal cancer is something that Ric and I committed to before he passed away. It is so important to both of us to do whatever we can to help MD Anderson. If everyone gave just a dollar, there's no telling where we'd be. Ric was the most positive, driven, compassionate person I have ever met and I know he would be very proud of me for continuing his legacy by donating and raising money in order to get one step closer to find a cure.
One word to describe MD Anderson: Phenomenal
Brenda Schultz
City: Houston, Texas
Occupation: Retired non-profit executive
Type of Gift: Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
Why I chose to establish a charitable trust: I'm able to accomplish specific financial objectives in an efficient way and have funds go to a cause that's near and dear to me. I had a specific interest in leaving a monthly income for my sister, and if she passes away, the funds will go directly to my husband.
Why MD Anderson: My mother was treated at MD Anderson in the last year of her life and she was treated with such dignity and sensitivity. She said she didn't feel like she was part of a "cancer factory." The sale of some property with my sister coincided with my mother being treated so nicely, so it was an easy decision to support MD Anderson in this way. The fact that The University of Texas System oversees the investments gives us an additional sense of security.
One word to describe MD Anderson: Cutting-edge
Doug and Karen Bickel
City: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Occupations: High school teacher and comptroller
Type of Gift: Bequest
Why we chose to make a bequest: We know that our legacy will be funding cancer research to make a difference for future generations. We don't have children and we know that this is the most impactful way we can distribute our estate.
Why MD Anderson: (Doug) When I was diagnosed with cancer, some close friends told me I had to go to MD Anderson, so we went. I was treated like a celebrity! Every time I've been there over the last three years, it is always the same friendly, great treatment and you can really see the charitable dollars at work. I can't name a cause that is more worthy of my money.
(Karen) The way Doug was treated at MD Anderson was better than he's ever been treated anywhere, at any level...from the clerks to the doctors, everyone is amazing.
One word to describe MD Anderson: Confidence (Doug) and hope (Karen).
Julie Buchanan
City: Conroe, Texas
Occupation: Retired from transportation, oil/gas and real estate
Type of Gift: Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
Why I chose to establish a gift annuity: Plain and simple - the CGA serves two purposes: the giving aspect and the income aspect. I was able to kill two birds with one stone by making this gift and it gives me lifetime income and tax benefits that are very fair in this economic climate.
Why MD Anderson: I'm a 25-year cancer survivor and my gift provides for MD Anderson - a longtime trusted cancer and research facility. In addition, MD Anderson is affiliated with UT, my alma mater!
One word to describe MD Anderson: Research
