When Larry Hymson went in for a routine physical, he never expected it would lead to a life-changing cancer diagnosis 鈥 or to a decision he and his wife, Kathy, would make years earlier than most: including Rush in their estate plans.
For Larry, who had never broken a bone or spent a night in the hospital, the news was startling. A lump in his throat led to tests, but the first two biopsies came back negative. , an otolaryngologist at 海角原创, oversaw his care and urged a closer look.
鈥淭wice the results said it wasn鈥檛 cancer, but Dr. Jagasia just wasn鈥檛 convinced,鈥 Larry said. 鈥淗e kept pushing, and ultimately, he found it. If he hadn鈥檛 gone that extra step, I don鈥檛 know if I鈥檇 be here today. I owe him everything.鈥
The tumor turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment that followed 鈥 surgery, radiation and chemotherapy 鈥 was grueling, but Larry said the way Rush cared for him made all the difference.
鈥淚 really felt like Rush had my back,鈥 he said. 鈥淔rom the front desk to the parking attendants to every nurse and physician, it was patient-centered in a way that I didn鈥檛 expect. They made me feel like I was going to get through this.鈥
A team who listened
Kathy remembers the roller coaster well.
鈥淲e鈥檇 never been through anything like this, and we don鈥檛 have physicians in our family,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e asked endless questions, sometimes ones we didn鈥檛 even understand, and the team never made us feel like we were wasting their time. They wanted us to be informed and involved. Medicine can feel very transactional, but at Rush, we were always treated as people first 鈥 not just patients.鈥
That reassurance gave the Hymsons confidence not just in Larry鈥檚 care but in Rush鈥檚 broader mission. The experience opened their eyes to Rush鈥檚 leadership in treating head, neck and throat cancers, as well as its outreach to communities that have unequal access to health care.
Helping people in Chicago and beyond
When the couple learned about Jagasia鈥檚 鈥 which provides ear, nose and throat care in Chicago鈥檚 economically marginalized communities and abroad; offers free transportation to and from appointments for patients; and includes an educational platform for medical students and residents 鈥 they knew it was a cause worth supporting.
鈥淎t first, we funded part of the program because it was new to us, and we wanted to see how it developed,鈥 Kathy said. 鈥淏ut the more we learned about Rush鈥檚 outreach, the more it resonated. I鈥檝e always been involved in tutoring and working with kids from under-resourced backgrounds, so this really connected with my values. And Larry felt such a personal connection because of his own care.鈥
That impact struck a personal chord for Larry as well. He admired that Jagasia鈥檚 efforts reached far beyond Rush鈥檚 walls.
鈥淚 loved that Dr. Jagasia wasn鈥檛 just doing research,鈥 Larry said. 鈥淗e was actually helping people, here in Chicago and beyond. We wanted to be part of that. We love this city. Supporting this work felt like a natural way to give back to a place that鈥檚 given us so much. It鈥檚 about investing in the future of our community and making sure that care and compassion reach those who need it most.鈥
For Jagasia, the mission is deeply personal, and the Hymsons鈥 gift couldn鈥檛 have come at a more critical time.
鈥淓very day, we see patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks 鈥 people without insurance, families in rural areas, children born in countries without basic screenings,鈥 Jagasia said. 鈥淭he support we receive from donors like the Hymsons allows us to say yes to these patients, to offer care that鈥檚 not just life-changing but often lifesaving. It helps us meet the urgent needs of today while building a healthier tomorrow.鈥
An investment in society
As their two sons grew older and became financially independent, the Hymsons began revisiting their estate plans. Unlike many who wait until later in life to make such decisions, they chose to act sooner.
鈥淲e realized we were in a fortunate position,鈥 Kathy said. 鈥淥ur kids are on good paths, and we don鈥檛 need to hold on to everything for ourselves. We are also fortunate to have good health insurance coverage through Larry鈥檚 work, which has allowed us to get excellent care at Rush. We want others to have that same access. I see charitable giving as another kind of investment 鈥 you can invest in the market, or you can invest in society and get a different kind of return.鈥
For them, designating part of Larry鈥檚 IRA to CURE and cancer research within Rush鈥檚 head and neck cancer program made sense. Required distributions from retirement accounts can create tax burdens, but leaving those funds to a nonprofit like Rush avoids that issue while making an impact.
鈥淭he IRA is something we know we won鈥檛 need in the short term, and it gives us the flexibility to revisit things later,鈥 Kathy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a promise we feel confident we can fulfill.鈥
Larry admitted he was initially hesitant.
鈥淚 thought, can we really do this now?鈥 Larry said. 鈥淏ut Kathy pointed out that making these gifts didn鈥檛 change our lifestyle. We still have what we need. Our kids are taken care of, and at the same time, we鈥檙e supporting something that made a huge difference in our lives.
Anyone can do this. It doesn鈥檛 have to wait until you鈥檙e much older.鈥
Looking to the future
The Hymsons hope their support will help Rush expand its outreach and inspire future generations of caregivers.
鈥淚f our gift means Dr. Jagasia can bring more people into this work, or if it sparks others to think about how they can contribute, then that鈥檚 impact,鈥 Kathy said. 鈥淢aybe a medical student or resident will have an experience through this program that shapes the way they practice for the rest of their career. That鈥檚 powerful.鈥
For Larry, it鈥檚 simpler.
鈥淩ush gave me my life back,鈥 he said. 鈥淣ow I just want to pay it forward and let the people who know how to do good, do good. If we can help them do it, that鈥檚 enough for me.鈥
A message to others
By making this gift, Larry and Kathy became members of the , a community of donors who have committed to sustaining Rush through their estates. Legacy gifts like theirs secure resources for the future and ensure Rush鈥檚 mission continues to thrive.
To fellow Rush Heritage Society members and anyone considering an estate gift to Rush, the Hymsons offer encouragement.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be wealthy to make a difference,鈥 Kathy said. 鈥淪tart small, build a relationship with an organization you trust, and see the impact. It enriches your own life, too.鈥
Larry added, 鈥淒on鈥檛 overthink it. If you鈥檝e been touched by Rush the way we have, just know that your gift can help someone else have that same experience.鈥
