Darryl’s gifts honor his brother and make a lasting impact for National Jewish Health.

Throughout their adulthood, Darryl and his brother Jerry were inseparable. Exploring the splendor of Colorado’s high country and often scrambling the toughest terrain, the promise of finding their oasis — a remote lake with plentiful trout fishing — kept them going. Sometimes fate intervened, but mostly it was the good planning of two experienced outdoorsmen that led to many successful excursions.

Darryl, 77, reminisces about the years spent with his big brother — and best friend — by his side. “I was nine years younger than Jerry, so as kids, he and our oldest brother, Al, didn’t really want me tagging along,” Darryl remembered. But over time, Jerry took him under his wing. They formed a tight bond that shaped their lives.

In 2020, Jerry died unexpectedly; Darryl clings to fond memories and wants his legacy to live on by doing something good for others. Just as Jerry helped him in his lifetime, now Darryl wants to give others a chance, too. In gratitude and in memory of Jerry, he decided to make a gift to National Jewish Health using proceeds he inherited from his brother. He gives now — and earns a return on his investment — through a charitable gift annuity (CGA), and he plans to leave a gift to National Jewish Health in his will.

“When I was much younger and struggling to get by, it was Jerry who helped me out. If it weren’t for him, I could have been on the street,” Darryl shuddered at the memory of being nearly destitute. “Because of him, I got back on my feet and went on to earn a master’s degree.” Now retired, Darryl enjoyed a career in sports and recreation management and thanks his brother for it.

The memory of those hard times made an impact on Darryl. He promised himself that he’d pay it forward whenever possible. Although a reserved Jerry never made known his charitable giving intentions, Darryl figured fate again intervened. One day after Jerry had passed, Darryl was sorting through his brother’s mail and noticed a mailer from National Jewish Health in the stack.

Curious about the contents, he opened it. Jerry had never been a patient, but Darryl remembers his Uncle Lloyd had received care many years before, as he suffered from emphysema.

Darryl read about the giving opportunities through National Jewish Health, and the idea of a CGA struck a chord with him. Faced with decisions about stewarding the money Jerry left for him and his desire to make a difference for many others, he connected with the Development team at National Jewish Health, learned how it worked, and made a plan to give.

“It seemed like a good way to help lots of people, support important research and earn something in return,” Darryl explained about his decision to make a gift through a CGA, which allows donors to make contributions and earn fixed, mostly tax-free payments back for life. Soon after, Darryl also decided to include National Jewish Health in his will. Although he is newly acquainted as a donor to National Jewish Health, he has long known its history of providing hope and healing and believes the institution deserves his support.

Darryl wonders what his shy, older brother might have thought about the engraved plaque that now commemorates him in one of the main campus buildings of National Jewish Health. But he hopes Jerry would appreciate the gratitude it represents and the steps he has taken to give others a chance at good health and a good life — the kind they both enjoyed as close family and fishing buddies.

If you are considering a planned gift, remember National Jewish Health. Your generous legacy gift will directly impact our patients and caregivers. Please contact Gordon P. Smith, MBA, CFRE at 1.800.423.8891, Ext. 6549 or smithgo@njhealth.org to learn more.