Supporters Like You

Life-Changing Personalized Care

Early in life, Alison was diagnosed with asthma, a common and chronic lung disease. The symptoms can include wheezing, a tight chest and shortness of breath. For people with severe and uncontrolled asthma, like Alison, traditional medicines do little to manage the symptoms.

“I was on tons of oral steroids, had all of the horrible side effects and my asthma was still not under control,” said Alison. “My doctor kept asking me if I was taking my medications the way I was supposed to. I was very compliant, but I began to feel like it was my fault that I was sick.”

Alison was then referred to National Jewish Health, where the doctors ran tests that no others had run. “We found out that to control my asthma with the most common medication, I needed a dose that would cause a seizure in other people,” Alison said.

She joined a clinical trial at National Jewish Health, one of the first in the country for an inhaled corticosteroid. The results offered Alison a new medication with the benefits of prednisone and no awful side effects.

“My first visit to National Jewish Health was life-changing,” said Alison. “I got my asthma under control and learned I had to be consistent with my medication; no more stopping and starting it back up when I experienced an exacerbation.”

After many years of good health, Alison’s breathing began to decline again. She was put on additional medication by her primary doctor, but nothing was working. She returned to National Jewish Health.

Alison received a comprehensive panel of tests and procedures that took five days. She then regrouped with her primary National Jewish Health pulmonologist, Laurie A. Manka, MD, who pulled it all together and made sure that Alison understood the test results and an additional diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia, which is when the airways collapse while breathing.

“I left there feeling that I had a plan,” Alison said. “I knew what was happening in my airways, what medications I responded well to, and how to keep my breathing strong. Now, when new issues arise, such as COVID and long-COVID, I know I can easily contact Dr. Manka for sound advice. I never feel like just a number with her.”

A Commitment to Whole-Person Care

As a psychologist who specializes in helping others manage and improve their lives, Alison sees that same purpose in the physician-scientists at National Jewish Health. “They combine their cutting-edge knowledge with a collaborative effort. This allows them to uncover the underlying cause of disease and provide a continuity of care found nowhere else,” Alison said. “I want to make sure this type of medicine can continue, so I have chosen to support National Jewish Health now and through a legacy gift.”

“I immediately remembered how the care I received in Denver changed my life,” said Ned, an Arizona resident who spent a week at the medical center in the early 1990s. “Asthma attacks used to prevent me from working, until the team at National Jewish Health taught me how to breath differently and properly use my inhaler. I have not missed work because of asthma since.”

Ned has been donating monthly to National Jewish Health since 2005 and thought it was time to match the “tremendous gift” the medical team gave to him — his health. Yet, he still wanted a safer way to invest for retirement.

He discovered he could achieve both of his goals through a charitable gift annuity (CGA). For Ned, at the time, the payout rates were similar between the CGA and the commercial annuity, so the deciding factors were the tax deferment and the opportunity to give back to National Jewish Health for the care he had received many years earlier.

“I would tell anyone who might consider investing in an annuity to call National Jewish Health,” said Ned. “They are very good people and will help you understand your options and feel comfortable about your decision.”

“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.

She appreciated that her doctor asked her for input on her treatment plan. Each time Harriette went back for a visit over the years, she met with her whole care team, including an infectious disease specialist, head nurse, personal nurse, PhD researcher and pharmacologist, all of whom knew her history and collaborated on her treatment. She also met with nutritionists, occupational therapists and physical therapists to find the best way to manage her health.

“I had complete confidence they had dealt with this particular illness, and they knew exactly what they were doing — that was the difference,” she said.

While at National Jewish Health, Harriette learned so much from her care team and from other patients in similar situations.

“It felt like going back to college. Not only was I being treated for my illnesses, but I was learning all day long,” she reflected. Being involved in the process gave Harriette ownership of her conditions and empowered her to take control of her diagnoses.

Now 80, Harriette is back to playing tennis regularly, attending barre classes multiple times a week, walking, traveling and spending time with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and grandson. As a member of the Woman’s Club of Richmond’s Program Committee, she has helped bring several physicians and researchers from National Jewish Health to her community for presentations.

“I’m so grateful to National Jewish Health and feel so lucky that I got the best care possible,” she said. “I was sick for so long, and now I have a great quality of life.”

Harriette refers to the hospital as a “community of hope” because she believes the superior care for everyone who needs it makes the world a better place. To show her gratitude, Harriette has chosen to include National Jewish Health in her will, so she can help the institution continue to give hope to people who are suffering.

She is proud to make this gift to National Jewish Health, knowing it will allow other people to receive the excellent care she has experienced over the past two decades. Her legacy will put people on a path of hope and healing.