GENEROSITY, COMMITMENT, FORESIGHT

(Profiles listed according to dates published.)

As a lifelong San Franciscan and retired teacher, Josephine Markovich has made a difference in the lives of countless children. She also supports many local organizations — creating a record eight gift annuities with the Foundation. “It’s nice to know I’m doing something to help someplace I believe in,” she says. Read more.

Joye L. Wilson was raised to share and give back. She is a grateful and active breast cancer survivor who travels and appreciates life, and she wants others to benefit from her good fortune. Joye named the Medical Center as a beneficiary of her retirement plan and insurance policy and designated her charitable gift annuity for the Breast Cancer Recovery Program. Read more.

For reasons both personal and financial, Edward Dodge is pleased with the gift annuity he funded with appreciated stock. His No. 1 reason, however, is the connection it makes to his late wife Marge. Mr. Dodge designated his gift for the research center where she had volunteered in the 1980s. He believes, “I feel I made a good donation. That would make Marge happy, too.” Read more.

After successfully undergoing the medical and emotional trauma of cancer, Bryan Hemming decided to give back, to his doctors and fellow cancer patients. He completed a generous planned gift involving an annuity, an estate pledge and a testamentary charitable remainder trust to create a cancer center that consolidates patient support services under one roof. “My gift plan does help with my retirement income, but what this truly means to me is that cancer patients will have a place to go for comfort and peace of mind.” Read more.

As a retired pathologist and chair of CPMC’s Pathology Department for 30 years, James L. Bennington, M.D. believes the Medical Center is “extremely important to the community, and philanthropy is extremely important to its operation.” He and his wife chose “… to put their money to good use” by leaving a legacy to support California Pacific. Read more.

Charles La Follette served as CFO for several Fortune 200 companies. He currently runs his own firm and serves as volunteer director for various nonprofits. You can say that Mr. La Follette recognizes sound financial management and worthy causes. That is why he feels comfortable entrusting his bequest to the Foundation, where he chaired its Board committees for many years. Read more.

At critical time in his life, Robert T. Devlin came to know the Medical Center’s compassionate, caring service after he lost his first wife to cancer in 1989. “When you’re in need, it’s great to have the personalized level of care that the California Pacific system provides,” he explains. In gratitude, Mr. Devlin perpetuates quality care through his two-life charitable gift annuity. “To me, it’s a win-win.” Read more.

As a volunteer at the Information Desk, Ruth Nolte witnessed firsthand the extraordinary resources for women and children. Through a generous planned gift in support of these vital services, she has funded The Ruth Nolte OB Center. Mrs. Nolte wonders “… why many wait to leave gifts in recognition of their interests or in appreciation of their own good fortune at a much later date.” She believes her gift is an opportunity to show her appreciation right now. Read more.

Lt. Col. Bob Sweeney created two charitable gift annuities with California Pacific to benefit medical education because he wanted to do more for his favorite charitable causes and he appreciates the life-income payments. — “I have dealt with the market, and this is the simplest thing that has ever come along!” Read more.

As a mother with strong family ties to California Pacific and as a former volunteer, Theresa Fisichella Claassen established a charitable gift annuity to ultimately benefit training interns and residents at the Medical Center — “Our hospital, like our health, is an asset we must protect and support.” Read more.

John D. Friedlander’s bond with California Pacific grew into a strong commitment through his personal relationships and first-hand experiences with Medical Center programs and services. His loyalty and gratitude led him to create three charitable gift annuities to benefit Swindells Alzheimer’s Residential Care Program, and to leave a legacy for California Pacific in his estate plan. Read more.

Deeply committed to California Pacific as an Information Desk volunteer, Guild member and philanthropist, Helene Ettelson named the Medical Center in her will and established a research fund at the Foundation in honor of her late father. — “The philanthropic spirit can make a powerful statement about your commitment to the community and the Medical Center.” Read more.

Retired physician Kenneth C. Archibald, M.D., paid tribute to the two loves of his life, rehabilitative medicine and his late partner by pledging his retirement plan assets to significantly fund The Archibald/Ehrenberg Rehabilitation Terrain Park — a controlled space where patients recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries and the like will learn to walk and navigate “out there” again. Read more.

"Because life is precious, we encourage giving to life and a lifetime of giving."