For Dave and Theresann Seeger, it was never a question of whether they should give back to health care and an institution they have known and loved for years. It was a question of how.
The Seegers first became acquainted with 海角原创 in the 1980s when Theresann鈥檚 father was treated here. However, their passion for Rush blossomed after the extraordinary care her mother received following a Parkinson鈥檚 disease diagnosis.
That care led Theresann to meet and work closely with , a renowned orthopedic surgeon at Rush, on his radio show and podcast before joining the Rush Associates Board a little more than a decade ago.
The Rush Associates Board is comprised of professionals united by their commitment to Rush鈥檚 mission. They act as ambassadors for Rush, sharing a common goal of advancing patient care, encouraging groundbreaking medical research and reaching out in service to the surrounding Chicago community.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not much that鈥檚 more important than our health,鈥 Theresann said. 鈥淭he knowledge Dr. Cole shares helped me appreciate the lifelong dedication required of the professionals who care for us. They deserve special recognition because they are protecting our health and the health of our families and friends. Being a part of the Rush Associates Board has helped me to further understand how the whole system works 鈥 it鈥檚 admirable how they devote their lives to keeping us well.鈥
Theresann鈥檚 work with the board provided her ample opportunity to give back and learn more about an institution she had grown to love.
The decision to make a planned gift
The relationship Theresann and Dave continued to cultivate over the years with Rush was further exemplified by their annual giving and membership in the Anchor Cross Society, which celebrates donors who provide significant support year after year.
Their routine of regularly donating to Rush eventually led them to consider what more they could do, which is how they came to the decision to make a generous bequest intention in support of orthopedics and Parkinson鈥檚 disease.
鈥淲hat we set out to do is make Rush one of the heirs to our estate,鈥 Dave said. 鈥淲e set it up so that Rush will receive a certain percentage. As our estate grows, the amount Rush will receive at our passing will grow with it. The process was easy thanks to Derek Lambert, Michelle Boardman and Susan Sasvari in the Office of Philanthropy.鈥
Planned gifts of all sizes and designations from grateful patients, alumni, faculty, staff and more enable Rush to fulfill its mission to provide the highest quality patient care, research, education and community outreach. As the field of health care evolves, deferred gifts help secure Rush鈥檚 future and ensure that valuable resources will be there when they are needed most. Gifts like what the Seegers have intended will not only make an impact on Rush鈥檚 future but also ensure the availability of assets to them during their lifetime. In appreciation of their gift, Dave and Theresann are also recognized as members of the .
鈥淚 think a major attraction with this type of gift is that it鈥檚 flexible,鈥 Dave said. 鈥淎s your life circumstances change and your interests evolve, you can reappropriate the funds to different areas because you鈥檙e not locked in. The hope is that our gift can help give a higher quality of life to people. I think Rush is capable of making that a reality. The care Rush provides is so important, and the research element is critical.鈥
Hope for a brighter tomorrow
Rush is a leader in the Chicago region and the nation when it comes to care and research that protects, preserves and restores brain health. At the same time, Rush is actively accelerating discovery and innovating surgical and nonsurgical bone and joint care, extending and restoring mobile and pain-free lives.
Theresann and Dave are hopeful for a cure for Parkinson鈥檚 disease in the future and are excited to see the progress that can be made in orthopedics research.
鈥淚t鈥檚 certainly safe to say our brains give to ortho, and our hearts give to Parkinson鈥檚,鈥 Theresann said. 鈥淲ith orthopedics, it鈥檚 so important to be able to move our bodies with freedom and without pain. The research done at Rush in that area is near and dear to my heart. And I鈥檝e got direct experience with Parkinson鈥檚. It鈥檚 a devastating illness that desperately needs a cure.
鈥淚鈥檓 familiar with many of the professionals at Rush. Their integrity is beyond compare. I have so much faith and trust in the work they are doing now and will continue to do in the future.鈥
To learn more about gift planning or discuss options that might be right for you, please contact Susan Sasvari, executive director of gift planning, at (312) 942-3691 or giftplanning@rush.edu.
