Meet Our Donors

Grateful Grandparents Advance Patient Care With Blended Gift

Judith and Henry SauerJudith and Henry Sauer have discovered how to see the impact of their generosity today while also ensuring a transformative future for a program near and dear to their hearts. More

A Meaningful Gift for the Heart Center

Doris and James JonesDoris and James Jones created a legacy of caring for others that also provided them with steady income for life. More

Longtime Supporter Strengthens Commitment With Gift in His Will

Richard Simon is deepening his dedication to healthier futures for kids by including a gift in his will to Texas Children's Hospital. More

Austin Couple Gives Back Through Their Long-term Plans

Rich and Jill PiaseckiRich Piasecki saw firsthand the commitment of Texas Children's Hospital to help all patients, regardless of their families' ability to pay. Now Rich and his wife, Jill, are supporting that pledge by designating Texas Children's as a beneficiary of their retirement plans. More

Paws and a Cause

Mike and Dee HairstonA passion for dogs and desire to help children motivated Mike and Dee Hairston’s gifts to Texas Children's Hospital. More

A Devoted Educator Gives Back to Texas Children’s

Maria Esther Estrada CamposMaria Esther Estrada Campos, a lifelong Houstonian and education trailblazer, found a simple and meaningful way to say thanks to Texas Children’s for the care her daughter and other family members received. More

A Family Legacy Lives On

Josephine and Santo PetixFor Linda Petix-Sarandrea, the past year was one of special reflection on her family’s heritage. One hundred years ago, Linda’s grandfather and great-aunt immigrated to America — fleeing the Spanish influenza which, like the present-day coronavirus pandemic, severely affected Italy. More

Couple's Estate Gift Provides Massive Support for Emergency Fund

With many of Texas Children's team members experiencing higher emotional stress and financial strain amid the tumult of the pandemic and recent national events, a new relief fund was established in early June to offer employees another resource for support. More

Remembering Mark

Mary Alice and Bob Watson"Some children are just genuinely funny, and Mark was one of those," says Mary Alice Watson, as she described her late son's outgoing personality. More

Celebrating 30 Years of Dedication and Passion for Texas Children's

Mark A. WallaceFor the last three decades, President and Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Wallace has helped transform Texas Children's into a leading health care institution. See what he's accomplished and how he's extending his support into the future. More

Retired Chief of Neurology Gives Back to Texas Children's

Marvin and Gloria FishmanDr. Marvin Fishman has watched the neurology program grow from a new addition to a leader in the field in the 40 years since he joined Texas Children's Hospital. With their estate gifts, he and his wife fund advancements for the department for many years to come while establishing a legacy for themselves. More

Legacy Tower Fulfills A Promise

Legacy TowerAt Texas Children's Hospital, we take very seriously our promise to always provide the very best care for all who come to us for help. The 640,000-square-foot expansion of Legacy Tower at our Texas Medical Center campus was designed to help us continue keeping that promise. More

Coming Full Circle At Texas Children’s Hospital

Larry RaybornI was born two months early in 1959 and was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, the layer of nerve tissue in the eye that enables us to see. More

More Miracles Are On The Way

Kristina and Keller GrayThe cries of my seven-month-old son, Keller, awakened me very early on June 12, 2011. My husband, Reggie, and I tried to comfort him, but he would not stop crying. Soon, we took him to the emergency room. By that time, his lips had already turned blue. More

IRA Charitable Rollover to Help Children

YosowitzLooking for a great giving vehicle? Texas Children's Hospital supporter Dr. Edward Yosowitz was and discovered the individual retirement account (IRA) charitable rollover. More

Giving To Fulfill A Calling

Risa TaubRisa Taub has given her time, talents and financial resources to fulfill her calling of serving pediatric cancer patients. She encourages others to follow their hearts to make a difference for young patients at Texas Children's. More

Impacting A Community Of Children

Philip Ross NeuhausOur father, Philip Ross Neuhaus, embraced life to the fullest. He cherished his family and friends as well as the relationships he built in the community through his work in the investment industry where he was so well respected. More

The Legacy of Leopold L. Meyer

Leopold L. MeyerGenerous, immense and undeniably intertwined with Texas Children's Hospital's legacy of loving care is the legacy of Leopold L. Meyer. Read on to learn about the remarkable fundraising efforts of this founding trustee. More

A Giving Heart Can Last Forever

Meredith MillerAlthough Meredith Miller's natural heart expired at age 11, her heart's desire to give to others lives on through the Meredith Erin Miller Endowed Fund in Cardiology at Texas Children's Hospital. With a commitment of $25,000, Mr. Meredith Miller and Ms. Julie Miller established the fund in memory of their daughter. More

A Gift for the Future

Michael and Nancy DavisFor many people, retirement means looking back at past events and accomplishments. But for Michael and Nancy Davis of Weatherford, Texas, it's a time to look forward ... to the next generation. More

Supporting Causes They Love

Dr. Leslie L. Harris and her husband, Dr. Edward G. BaptistaA desire to use their philanthropy as effectively as possible brought Texas Children's neonatologist Dr. Leslie L. Harris and her husband, Dr. Edward G. Baptista, an adult cardiologist and recent chief of staff at Kingwood Medical Center, into the fold of Ambassadors for Texas Children's Hospital as lifetime members. More

Honoring One Child's Life, Bringing Hope to Many

Michael LinnLike many fathers, Michael Linn had great dreams for his son, Matthew, when he was born in 1982. Sadly, Matthew was born with a congenital heart defect-his tiny heart had two chambers instead of four. More

It's All in the Family

Dr. Joan E. Shook and Dr. Jeffrey R. StarkeIt was with a strong sense of joining a warm and close-knit medical family that Dr. Joan E. Shook and Dr. Jeffrey R. Starke each accepted residencies, fellowships, faculty positions at Baylor College of Medicine and posts at Texas Children's Hospital in the early 1980s. More

Changing Lives Long After Her Own

Lee Edward EllisIn the mid-1970s, when young Lee Edward Ellis of Houston contracted Burkitt's lymphoma-a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-treatment options were limited. Today, 30 years later, the disease has more than an 80 percent survival rate. More

Joining Together to Make a Big Impact

Dr. Carol J. BakerAs the daughter of a physician in general practice in Southern California and a mom who has always been a giver, Dr. Carol J. Baker has understood the notion of giving to others since her earliest childhood. When she came to Houston and Texas Children's Hospital, she learned what a huge impact that outlook can have when it's... More

Remembering the Past While Looking to the Future

Nadine Galinsky FeldmanWith a commitment to Texas Children's Fetal Center in memory of her daughter, Reba Galinsky, who died in utero in 1997, Nadine Galinsky Feldman has established an endowed fund through her estate plans to help give other prospective mothers and their at-risk babies a better chance to share a life together. More

Planning Ahead for Texas Children's

Cris DaskevichPlanning ahead is a way of life for Cris Daskevich; perhaps more than most folks. As a senior vice president of Texas Children's Hospital, she's involved every day in planning ahead for Texas Children's Maternity Center and women's services. But she has also made a personal plan for herself and her family far into the future by including Texas Children's Hospital... More

Creating a Brighter Future for Children

Harry ArgovitzDoting great-grandpa Harry Argovitz knows a good deal when he sees one. So when he learned about charitable gift annuities available through Texas Children's Hospital, he jumped at the opportunity to establish one that will help his beloved great-granddaughter, Mackenzie "Kiki" Tobor. His annuity will ultimately benefit the hospital's program... More

Hope and Healing for Children With Cancer

Don and Sidney FaustSometimes, one moment in time really does change a life forever. For Don and Sidney Faust, that moment came during the 1998 Cancer League of Houston luncheon when they were introduced to some of the youngest patients of Texas Children's Cancer Center. Meeting the brave, compelling children brought the Fausts to the realization that... More

Texas Children's Believed in Me

Dr. Donald J. FernbachDr. Donald J. Fernbach joined Texas Children's Hospital as a firstyear resident in 1954 and quickly emerged as a major force in its success. His commitment to finding new ways to heal sick children has been fundamental to the hospital's phenomenal growth. Now his foresight and generosity will support oncology... More

Wilson Gift Helps Advance Research for Cystic Fibrosis-Yours Can, Too

Jackson O. WilsonMost people may not think to name Texas Children's Hospital as the beneficiary of an IRA. After spending many hours at Texas Children's with his granddaughter, however, Jackson O. Wilson did. Jack Wilson's 9-year-old granddaughter, Emily Otto, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) almost immediately after she was... More

Visionary John C. Silvey, Jr. Creates His Legacy

John C. Silvey, Jr.Active and healthy at 85 years old, and firmly controlling the reins of his life and future, Mr. Silvey has carefully and thoroughly studied all the options for planning and investing his estate;and Texas Children's Hospital features prominently in those plans. He has created a charitable gift annuity with the hospital and included a generous bequest in his will. More

Gifts of a Lifetime

Dr. William T. ShearerYear by year, gift by gift, Dr. William T. Shearer has made financial contributions to Texas Children's Hospital that add up to an extraordinary lifetime commitment. Dr. Shearer came to Texas Children's in 1978 to establish the Allergy and Immunology Service and made his first contributions... More

A Whole-Hearted Gift

Susan Rockwell, R.N.As far back as she can remember, Susan Rockwell, R.N., wanted to heal broken hearts. As a pediatric cardiology nurse at Texas Children's Heart Center, she dedicated her life to providing cardiac care to many young patients but always felt that she could give more. Rockwell's 26-year tenure at the Heart Center and the many life-saving treatments she saw pioneered... More

How Will You Leave Your Legacy?

Dr. Barbara MitchellDr. Barbara Mitchell wanted to leave a legacy through her estate plan that would combine her love for education and health with her desire to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. She found a perfect fit in Texas Children's Hospital. Her interest in health and child development began in college... More

Rebecca Meyer Brown

Rebecca Meyer BrownFor fourteen years Rebecca Meyer Brown was a faithful and frequent donor to Texas Children's Hospital. Her philanthropic support provided seed money for a variety of hospital programs and ongoing support for several others. "My mother gave to the hospital because she thought Texas Children's was where children would get the best care... More

Paying Tribute to Texas Children's First Benefactors

J. S. and Lillie Abercrombie SocietyIn 1994, Texas Children's Hospital established the J. S. and Lillie Abercrombie Society to honor its first major benefactors, whose kindness and foresight helped create Texas Children's. Today, through the Abercrombie Society, Texas Children's recognizes and pays tribute to people who have included the hospital in their estate plans. More

Abercrombie Society Member Spotlight: Janelda Bentrup

Janelda BentrupJanelda Bentrup went through the most difficult time in her life when her only child, Brenda Bentrup Mosenthin, passed away at age 42. However, through a planned gift to Texas Children's Hospital, Janelda is fulfilling Brenda's lifelong wish to give back to the hospital. She would say to me, when we die — we're going... More

A Gift With Flexibility

Barbara and Roy AdamsBarbara and Roy Adams know the importance of flexibility. During Roy's 32-year career with Exxon, the couple lived overseas for 23 years in five countries and traveled to more than 50 countries, finely honing their adaptability and packing skills. When Roy retired in 1993, the couple chose to move back to Houston, where... More

Giving Back

Dinah SchnitzerAlmost 30 years ago, Dinah Schnitzer's two sons, Adam, 30, and Andrew, 27, were both diagnosed with congenital conditions of the digestive system when they were infants. As a result of the expert care they received at Texas Children's, Schnitzer became a generous supporter. >"l'm fortunate to be able to give back to the hospital that has given so much to me," she said. Not long ago... More

A Well-Lived, Philanthropic Life

Alice Jan MinatraAlice Jan Minatra was no stranger to philanthropy. In fact, she dedicated her life to helping others. She gave freely of her time, talent and resources to many Houston charities including the Houston Symphony League, Rice University, the Salvation Army and Child Advocates. According to her daughter, Amanda Hesse, Minatra was "a very generous woman... More

Volunteer Gives Friendship and Funds to Help Newborns

Jim BordelonJim Bordelon is a man with a plan. His plan is to ensure that the little babies in Texas Children's Newborn Center continue to receive the highest level of care and treatment for many years to come. In October, Jim, as he likes to be called, designated a gift through his will to Texas... More

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Texas Children's Hospital a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Texas Children's Hospital, a nonprofit corporation currently located at Houston, TX, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Texas Children's Hospital or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Texas Children's Hospital as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Texas Children's Hospital as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Texas Children's Hospital where you agree to make a gift to Texas Children's Hospital and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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