Supporting a Worthy Cause
Supporting a Worthy Cause
Why I Give to National Jewish Health
By: Barry H.
I find it hard to give away money — I want to make sure it’s going to the right people and institutions. Currently, I give to National Jewish Health and only one other charitable organization.
A friend invited me to a fundraising event in New York City and that is when I learned about National Jewish Health. That was more than 30 years ago. I liked what I heard and wanted to know more and started reading up on the hospital.
I do a lot of research before donating to a charity by looking at the tax forms and checking with the state attorney general’s office to see if any complaints have been made. National Jewish Health checks all the boxes. It is the premier pulmonary institution in the world and they run an excellent ship when it comes to patient care, research and administration.
My first gift to National Jewish Health was $18. Since then, I have funded several charitable gift annuities, which are nice because they provide a flow of income in return for my donations.
Then, when another individual offered to make a significant donation for every person who added National Jewish Health to their legacy plans — it was an offer too good to pass up. I took advantage of the Legacy Challenge campaign and included the hospital in my estate plans.
Each donation to National Jewish Health gives me a positive feeling because I am helping others receive much-needed care. It’s good to know a person’s financial situation is not a condition of them being accepted as a patient. Plus, the doctors never give up on a patient; they find innovative approaches and answers that doctors across the country have not.
I keep up on the work of National Jewish Health through emails, newsletters and events here in New York where the doctors come to speak. It is impressive that so many of them are involved in both research and care and still find time to travel the nation talking about their work. And the videos that show real patients who can barely breathe, receiving life-saving care — they are great. I can see my donations are making a true difference.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.