Who Could You Help Tomorrow?
People who have the opportunity to raise money for wonderful causes often hear, “I can’t imagine asking people for money. I just don’t think I could do it.”
The truth is, what we do is all about connecting an individual’s passion with a demonstrated need. If you do that, giving will follow, and this issue of Engage includes a number of examples.
For Chad Harlan, a gift made in memory of his wife, Julie Harlan, is fueling the promise of new research into a type of cancer that remains underfunded through federal and other sources.
The Crouse family of Alabama and members of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) were inspired by the promise of regenerative medicine for very different reasons—the Crouses by the loss of a beloved son and brother, and the OES members through an organizational commitment to philanthropy. Yet both see potential for improving care for people around the world through the work of Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Witnessing the impact of the Memory Counseling Program inspired Ralph and Jane Becker of Winston-Salem to issue a challenge that will expand and extend a program so valuable to families who are facing Alzheimer’s disease.
In Lexington, donors from throughout the region came together to provide a new surgical facility that will enhance care in their community—for their families, neighbors and friends—for decades to come.
These are all very different people responding to the same question: How can I help someone else? In each case, they chose to help by giving to Wake Forest Baptist Health where their passion intersected with our commitment to education, research and improving the care people receive.
As one year ends and another begins, there remains a place here for you and your passion. Who could you help tomorrow?
Lisa M. Marshall
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Vice President, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations