One day in 2001, Elisabeth Szegho checked her mail and found a brochure from National Jewish Health. Though she has never visited the institution as a patient, she has experienced her fair share of lung complications — bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma — and was taken by the groundbreaking research at National Jewish Health to study and treat pulmonary diseases.

Elisabeth was instantly inspired and became a regular donor. She has been giving to National Jewish Health now for over a decade. In 2013, Elisabeth learned about a new way to make a gift to National Jewish Health and completed her first gift in the form of a charitable gift annuity (CGA).

Now, Elisabeth has completed her 10th CGA with National Jewish Health. "CGAs are so steady and reliable, compared to the volatile stock market and economy, and they also provide a great tax advantage," Elisabeth said. "They're just so easy. What's not to like?"

In addition to enjoying the ease and benefits of CGAs over the years, Elisabeth has stayed engaged with National Jewish Health by attending events in her own community of Chicago. "I am constantly amazed by the progress their researchers are making, and also the expansion of the beautiful campus," she said.

National Jewish Health hosts panels, presentations and discussions where experts share their exciting research and findings with supporters across the country. These events take place several times throughout the year to report on the groundbreaking work that our research teams are conducting as they seek answers and new treatment options for asthma, allergies, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and many other lung, heart, immune and related diseases that affect millions around the world.

In addition to meeting other local National Jewish Health supporters and finding a community among them, Elisabeth was particularly interested in learning about deployment-related lung disease. The Center for Deployment-Related Lung Disease focuses on active military personnel, veterans and contractors with lung conditions related to their mission. We conduct research to understand the causes of deployment-related lung disease, identify new and better diagnostic tools, develop better effective treatments and look for ways to prevent these disabling diseases.

"The speakers have all been phenomenal," Elisabeth said. "The presentations are amazing!" She is looking forward to keeping up to date on the latest progress by the institution and making a difference by investing in its future while securing her own. "Giving to National Jewish Health through CGAs is very rewarding in many ways and, financially, it just makes sense."

Invest in Your Future and Ours

If you wish to donate or learn more about the gift annuity program at National Jewish Health, please visit our website or contact Gordon P. Smith, MBA, CFRE at 1.800.423.8891, Ext. 6549 or smithgo@njhealth.org today.