Leave a Legacy for our Sickest Kids The Great Bear Society is a community of people who are creating a lasting legacy by leaving a gift in their will to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. These Great Bears stand confidently in the name of something bigger than themselves and act as defenders of hope for our sickest kids. They give generously in support of families they may have never met and to a cause that may never touch them directly. The Great Bear Society builds a brighter future for thousands of vulnerable children across Western Canada. These guardians of children’s health help the Stollery pursue excellence. They are the rock families stand on during extraordinary battles. Great Bears protect our Little Bears, and their gifts change lives forever.
Look Up to the Great Bear The Great Bear and the Little Bear constellations, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, have lit up the night sky and inspired civilizations for thousands of years. The Great Bear is a symbol of health and protection, and a trusted marker for navigating the world.
Angus with grandkids, Jason and Thomas
Great Bear Ambassador
Angus Watt Angus Watt and his family are longtime supporters and champions of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. As a proud donor, Great Bear and managing director of National Bank Financial, Angus understands that giving through his will benefits him, his community and his family.
Why have you chosen to support the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation? “Truly for the love of our children and our grandchildren. When I look at them, I realize how precious and vulnerable children are. Kids at the Stollery haven’t chosen to be sick; I’ll gladly donate if it means I can make a difference and ensure every child has access to the best possible care.”
this makes financial sense for those who find they will have more than they need when their time comes. Right now, I have the opportunity to make sure this money will be put to great use. Of course my wife and I want to ensure our children and grandchildren are taken care of, but after that I feel great knowing I’ll be helping protect the most precious and vulnerable children.”
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Great Bear Society? “As we get older, we need to think about our legacy and how we can use our lives to make our community a better place. The Great Bear Society is this inspirational group of people who’ve come together to protect and support our most vulnerable sick kids and their families. Being a Great Bear means helping these kids live their best lives.”
Why does donating in your will make sense? “We can always put together a tax strategy to make the numbers work, but
“As we get older, we need to think about our legacy and how we can use our lives to make our community a better place.”
Little Bear Ambassador
Olivia Beaudoin
Like the thousands of other children who visit the Stollery every year, Olivia had her life forever changed by the expert treatment of her health-care team. Olivia became a Stollery kid when she was born into the world 14 weeks ahead of schedule. Her first months of life were spent under close watch in the Stollery Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit. Eventually, she was diagnosed with bleeding in the brain, and it became clear she would need emergency brain surgery. At age 13, after 43 operations and more than 370 days in the Stollery, Olivia leads a happy life. She needs constant monitoring, and her condition will affect her for the rest of her life. But thanks to the dedicated Stollery medical staff, her family knows she’s in great hands.
“The Stollery has been our family’s protector. The hard work and compassion Olivia’s health-care team has shown over the years is without compare. We are forever grateful for their dedication.” — Wendy Beaudoin, Olivia’s mom
You Make It Possible to Breathe Easy Blayne Beck was born May 24, 2016, at only one pound 12 ounces and 34 centimetres long. His early months were spent inside an incubator as his parents, Ashley and Steven, looked on while he was hooked up to what seemed like every machine in the room. Fortunately, the Stollery’s neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital has a non-invasive respiratory support machine. Unlike a traditional respirator with breathing tubes that go into the lungs, this machine uses air pressure to open the lungs and fill them with oxygen.
“Instead of people standing outside a glass wall looking in, we got to be parents.” — Steven Beck, Blayne’s dad
Thanks to donors like you, the machine made it possible for Ashley and Steven to hold Blayne to their chest for skin-toskin or kangaroo care, which helps baby and parents bond to encourage a baby’s healthy development. It also meant Ashley could start breastfeeding right away. The first time Ashley was able to snuggle her newborn son, his heart and breathing rate settled right down.
Great Bear Heini Grossmann Hiltrud (Heini) Grossmann, a retired St. Albert resident, caught a news segment during Stollery Week 2016 about the life-changing power of non-invasive respiratory support machines for our tiniest bears — like Blayne Beck — at the Hospital. She learned the Stollery needed more machines, which cost $20,000 each. “It just struck me — I don’t know why. But I said, ‘Oh, I can do that. I can give them one of those machines,’” Heini remembers. She jumped to action and got the papers organized to transfer some company stocks to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, covering the full cost of one machine. With the help of her financial advisor, she navigated the process easily. Months later, she toured the Stollery to see her donation in action: “What struck me the most was the enthusiasm and the passion of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation for looking after the kids.”
Hiltrud (Heini) Grossmann
How Would You Like to Leave Your Legacy? There are many ways to leave a lasting legacy. Talk to a lawyer, accountant or estate planner about which option is right for you. Bequest in Your Will Gifts in the form of cash or property are easy to arrange and are the most common forms of legacy giving. Gift of Securities Gifts can include donations of publicly listed stocks and securities. RRSP, RRIF and Other Deferred Pension Funds Consider naming the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation as a beneficiary of these funds. Life Insurance Donate policies by naming the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation as the beneficiary. Charitable Gift Annuity Transfer cash or property today in exchange for a partial tax deduction and a stream of income during your life.
You Are Making a Difference Your donations make it possible for us to fund excellence in specialized training, research, programs, equipment and facilities.
How You Can Be a Great Bear, Too Give Us a Call! Contact the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation’s director of major gifts, Sue McCoy, for more information. Sue would be happy to walk you through the options and discuss how your gift can improve the lives of sick children and their families for years to come. Make the Pledge! Talk to a lawyer, accountant or estate planner for advice on which option is best for you. We would be honoured to be a part of your legacy. Spread the Word! Let the Foundation and your friends and family know. You are now part of an impressive group devoted to protecting our littlest bears.
Connect With Us Sue McCoy Director of Major Gifts 780.431.4605 sue.mccoy@stollerykids.com Sue McCoy is a certified fundraising executive and the director of major gifts for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. She oversees a skilled team dedicated to helping kids and families at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. As a member of the Great Bear Society herself, Sue chose to give through her life insurance and named the Foundation as a beneficiary of her estate. A devoted mom to three young children, Sue believes there’s nothing more precious than the health of our kids and is honoured to give a legacy gift toward this cause. Sue would be happy to walk you through the Great Bear Society donation options, give you more information or help you become a Great Bear yourself.
stollerykids.com/legacy
Charitable registration # 12207 3158 RR0001