Creating a Lasting Legacy in the Fight Against Type 1 Diabetes
Planning for the future means thinking about the people we love and the values we want to carry forward. It's not always easy to think about what comes after we're gone, and many people don't realize that charitable giving can be part of that conversation.
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, is a way to ensure that the causes closest to your heart continue to make a difference for years to come. Through a gift in your will, trust, retirement account, or other estate plans, you can help support the future of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research while creating a lasting impact beyond your lifetime.
Whether your gift is large or small, it can help create a ripple effect that extends far beyond a single lifetime. By including DRC in your long-term plans, you become part of a community investing in hope, discovery, and progress for future generations.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
There are several ways to create a lasting impact through legacy giving:
Include DRC in Your Will or Living Trust
One of the simplest ways to support future T1D research is by naming Diabetes Research Connection in your will or trust. This allows you to make a meaningful future gift while maintaining complete control of your assets during your lifetime.
Name DRC as a Beneficiary
You can designate Diabetes Research Connection as a beneficiary of:
- A retirement account
- A life insurance policy
- An investment account
These gifts are often easy to arrange and may provide tax advantages for your estate.
Donate Appreciated Assets
Gifts of stock or other appreciated assets can be an effective way to support research while potentially reducing certain tax burdens.
Make a Gift in Honor or Memory of Someone You Love
Many supporters choose to celebrate or remember someone special through a charitable gift. Memorial gifts, tribute funds, and gifts made in honor of birthdays, anniversaries, or other milestones can create a lasting impact while honoring a meaningful life or moment.
A Legacy of Supporting Future Research
For Dr. Joe Shurman, supporting T1D research through his estate plan was a natural extension of a career spent caring for patients.
"As a former Chair of Pain Management at Scripps Memorial Hospital, I've witnessed the severe and painful complications that result from diabetes. By including DRC in my estate plan, I know that my gift will leave a legacy of supporting innovative research beyond my lifetime, so that future generations never have to experience the painful effects of this disease."
Throughout his medical career, Dr. Shurman saw firsthand how diabetes complications could affect patients and families. His decision to include DRC in his estate plans reflects his belief that investing in research today can help spare future generations from those same challenges.
Honoring a Legacy Through Giving
Legacy gifts can also be a powerful way to honor someone whose life was shaped by a commitment to finding a cure.
For 15 years, Eddie Hamilton dedicated himself to raising funds for research, inspired by his granddaughter Brooklynn, who lives with T1D. After Eddie's passing, one of his close friends and colleagues chose to honor that commitment by establishing a fund in both Eddie and Brooklynn's names. The fund continues to support the research that was so important to Eddie and ensures that his impact will be felt for years to come.
Through this tribute, Eddie's dedication continues to make an impact, helping advance research and bring hope to families affected by T1D.
Longtime supporters David and Kathy Overskei became passionate advocates for T1D research after their daughter Erica was diagnosed as a teenager. Following Kathy's passing, David chose to honor her memory with a gift to Diabetes Research Connection (DRC), ensuring that her commitment to finding better treatments and a cure would continue through the research she believed in.
Many supporters choose to honor a loved one through a gift to DRC. Memorial gifts and tribute donations provide a meaningful way to celebrate a life, recognize a special occasion, or carry forward a loved one's values and passions.
Planning Your Legacy
Legacy giving is a personal decision that should reflect your values, financial goals, and vision for the future. We encourage you to discuss your plans with your family, financial advisor, attorney, or estate planning professional.
If you are considering including Diabetes Research Connection in your plans, we would be honored to speak with you about the options available and how your gift can help accelerate the future of T1D research. Reach out to Giving@DiabetesResearchConnection.org to learn more.
Through legacy giving, you can leave future generations a powerful gift: a world with better treatments, fewer complications, and a brighter future for everyone affected by T1D.
Get Involved
– Stay informed. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on funded researchers, scientific advances, and upcoming opportunities to get involved.
– Join our community. Attend an upcoming event or volunteer to help advance DRC’s mission.
