Jim Wolf has been a generous National Jewish Health donor for more than 40 years, and the legacy gift he is leaving from his estate will continue to provide essential resources to the nation's leading respiratory hospital for future generations. The 87-year-old retired history professor credits National Jewish Health with helping him gain control of his severe asthma.

"I saw an allergist from the time I moved to Colorado in 1968, and in 1975, the doctor said I needed to go to National Jewish Health where they could better treat me, and they did," explains Jim, who has suffered with asthma since age 4. "During my first visit, I saw a doctor and he listed several medical tests he wanted me to take. Unfortunately, they couldn't perform any of the tests on me because I couldn't move that much air."

Jim says the National Jewish Health medical team immediately administered medication that ultimately helped improve his breathing, and with routine visits, his condition improved significantly.

"When I don't have to worry about breathing, of course, it changes my life," Jim says. "My condition was persistent, but it didn't always bother me. I would have times when I would have a lot of trouble breathing. The medication that was prescribed for me at National Jewish kept me pretty well free from any discomfort."

He says on one occasion he developed a serious infection that was resistant to most antibiotics. His pulmonologist, Steven Frankel, M.D., ultimately cured the bug. "He probably saved my life," says Jim, who still looks forward to his annual visits with Dr. Frankel. "I consider him a friend."

Since the late 1970s, Jim has gifted cash and stock to National Jewish Health, and he recently began giving through a donor advised fund (DAF) for its tax advantages. A DAF, which is like a charitable savings account, provides flexibility to donors by enabling them to recommend how much and how often funds are granted to qualified charities such as National Jewish Health.

Jim, who has combined his gifts in a concept known as "blended giving," also increased the amount he wants to give to the institution in his will. He has directed that support from his estate go toward the innovative research National Jewish Health is conducting to help children and adolescents who are living with asthma. This is critical considering asthma is the No. 1 chronic disease affecting American children under 18.

"I'm a great believer in National Jewish Health," Jim proclaims. "I support the hospital because of my experience and history there, because of the excellent research that it's doing and because of Dr. Frankel. I encourage others to give as well."

For the past 60 years, National Jewish Health has been involved in many of the major advances in asthma treatment in the United States. The chronic condition affects 25 to 30 million Americans like Jim. Approximately half of those do not have their asthma under control, meaning they need ongoing therapy and acute interventions. Our expert team of pulmonologists, allergists and immunologists are focused on curing severe asthma. Because this chronic disease affects so many, you or someone you know likely has asthma.

National Jewish Health is dedicated to the diagnosis, management and care of respiratory, cardiac and immune-related diseases. We are the place to come for asthma treatment because our multidisciplinary care model features world-renowned experts in all respiratory fields. We remain the leader in asthma care thanks to our donors. You can help people like Jim by giving to asthma treatment and research at National Jewish Health, and you can be assured your investment will make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals for generations to come.

To explore your giving options, please contact Gordon P. Smith, MBA, CFRE at 1.800.423.8891, Ext. 6549 or smithgo@njhealth.org. After all, there is no greater gift than life and good health.