CAREFUL PLANNING AND COMMITMENT HELP ENSURE ST. JUDE'S FUTURE

Charles and Linda De Long

"I have a totally peaceful feeling that the minute I walk into St. Jude I know we're OK, and I don't worry," says Linda De Long. "Everything's going to be the best it can be, and I don't have to think about it."

For Charles and Linda De Long, there is no better place to go for care than St. Jude Medical Center. Over the years they have both used the hospital services, and the care has been consistent and nurturing.

"We have always had good experiences," Charlie says. "It's important to us that they care about taking care of us, and that's pretty much been the feeling." Therefore, when Charlie, a computer technician for a K-12 school district, and Linda, an HR consultant and adjunct professor with the University of La Verne, decided to make their estate plans, the idea of giving back seemed natural.

"We each started listing different charities and institutions, and St. Jude came up on both of our lists at the same time," Linda explains. Both in their 50s with no children, they felt it was the right time to set aside a lasting gift.

"We're in a position where we wish we could give more in terms of dollars, but at this time, we are not in a position to give physical cash," Linda adds. "But, we can include St. Jude in our estate plans."

Since their decision to make a planned gift, the De Longs' involvement with the hospital has grown. First, the Foundation Board invited the couple to a meeting to share their rationale for giving. Within a few months, Linda was asked to join the Foundation Board, and the timing was perfect.

"One of the things I had learned in the coursework of my doctoral program at La Verne I did last year was how critical and important having a sense of community was," she says. "I had not personally been a volunteer or a member of anything in that capacity my entire life." Her time on the Foundation Board has fulfilled that desire, and she has been fascinated finding out the behind-the-scenes workings of the hospital. She understands how important a hospital like St. Jude is to the community.

Charlie shares her interest. "I'm really impressed with where St. Jude is now, and I hope that continues," he says. With outright gifts, planned gifts such as the De Long bequest , and volunteer support, St. Jude is able to remain one of Southern California's most respected leaders in health care. At St. Jude, we can't thank our supporters enough!