Anne Latham McCracken takes her first and middle names from her mother. It was a tradition in her family, but her grandfather gave her the nickname “Bootsie.” The Richmond, Virginia, native figured, “He must have thought I needed a good Southern name.” And it stuck.

Bootsie, 64, thinks of both names as part of the legacy that connects her to treasured memories of her family. Her mother was gone too soon, after battling chronic and debilitating respiratory illnesses.

Thinking of her mother and family members who have struggled with respiratory disease, Bootsie has included a legacy gift to National Jewish Health in her will. That way, she can ensure a lifeline of care and research to help many individuals and families yet to come.

“I appreciate that National Jewish Health is ‘on it’ by focusing on research that doesn’t sacrifice patient care,” Bootsie explained. “They do both with great gusto, and that’s the difference.”

A Journey of Hope

Bootsie was 12 years old when doctors recommended her younger brother for treatment at Childrens’ Asthma Research Institute Hospital (CARIH) in Denver, a sister facility that eventually merged into National Jewish Health. He struggled with brittle asthma, a rare and serious form of the disease that affects just 1% of those with the condition.

In the fall of 1973, the family traveled to CARIH, which was renowned as the leading care and research and treatment facility for pediatric asthma. Even though he would be away from home, Bootsie’s parents recognized a stay at CARIH was the best chance to save their young son.

“Our family had to make a lot of sacrifices to help my brother get the care he needed for his asthma,” Bootsie remembered. He lived, received treatment and attended school at the facility, which was the protocol. “Kids weren’t supposed to come home during their stay, but we drove to Denver for the holidays that year to see him — and we noticed he was markedly better.”

While her brother’s health improved, her mom’s health took a sudden turn in early 1974. She was also a brittle asthmatic. Bootsie eventually learned that her mother suffered from bronchiectasis, a condition that causes dilation and inflammation of the airways — and can lead to infection of the lungs. Bronchiectasis was almost unheard of back then, but today National Jewish Health is leading the way in treating and understanding this condition.

Several years ago, Bootsie also became a patient at National Jewish Health. She traveled to Denver, but this time to address her own struggles with asthma and allergies. Today, she and her brother manage their conditions and lead full lives. She deeply values the advantage of receiving care at National Jewish Health. Bootsie only wishes her mom could have had the same advantage. “Things might have turned out differently for her,” she reflected.

Coming Full Circle Through Legacy Giving

Bootsie continues to spread the word to friends that National Jewish Health is the place to go for unsurpassed respiratory care. Through her support, advocacy and legacy planning, Bootsie honors her mother’s memory and her family’s history. Equally important, she helps other families across the country and around the globe gain access to world-renowned research and a standard of care at National Jewish Health that can be life-changing — and even life-saving.

Build Your Legacy

Like Bootsie, you too can make a lasting impact on National Jewish Health and support life-saving work through legacy giving. After all, there is no greater gift than life and good health. To learn more, please contact Gordon P. Smith, MBA, CFRE at 1.800.423.8891, Ext. 6549 or smithgo@njhealth.org today.