Tom and Ro have gone from diagnosis to failed brain surgery, a stroke and now, advanced Parkinson’s. “As the disease progresses it gets more and more difficult,” Tom said. His color-coded calendar helps him keep track of Ro’s appointments, exercise classes and PD Health @ Home events — all of which they attend together. Tom also volunteers with the Parkinson’s Foundation on the People with Parkinson’s Council and the Care Partner Summit committee. “People need to know the Foundation is here for them,” Tom said.

“Leaving a planned gift is the right legacy for us to leave so we can help the people who will need it the most, whether they’re people with Parkinson’s, care partners, families, we know the Foundation will use the donation to advance its mission,” Tom said.

Tom wants to keep helping the Foundation in the future. “For me, leaving a planned gift looks at the Foundation’s vision as a whole,” Tom said. “It’s not just research, education or community involvement. They have so many ways to help the Parkinson’s community and that will spread this donation a long way.” As Parkinson’s Foundation Legacy Society members, Tom and Ro’s dedication to the Parkinson’s community will never be forgotten.

This was not my situation. I was born in Venice, Italy, and moved with my family first to Quito, Ecuador, then to the United States. When I arrived here at age 17, I had nothing.

After earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, and two years in the Army, I joined The Dow Chemical Company. I held a series of international and management positions before becoming President and CEO of the company in 1978, then Chairman of the Board.

Along the way, I made a decision that would later impact the Parkinson’s Foundation. As I started doing better in life, I created a foundation to support two goals: medical research and patient care. My foundation made donations to many organizations.

Then I met Nathan Slewett, Past President and Chairman of the Board of the Parkinson’s Foundation. And I fell in love with the man and his mission!

As I learned about the Foundation, I saw that it was very worthy of supporting. I found that the Foundation has one of the lowest expense ratios among nonprofits, with an unusually large portion of funds raised going to the mission. That was something I always looked at before contributing to an organization.

Although when I met Mr. Slewett I had never known anyone with Parkinson’s disease, that soon changed as I became increasingly involved. I became a Board member, a member of the Board of Governors, then Chairman of the Board from 2003 to 2007. Over the years, I made significant donations. But as time passed, I found I wanted to use my own foundation to do more to support the Foundation’s unique and important mission.

While most Parkinson’s organizations fund basic research, the Parkinson’s Foundation is unique in doing as much as possible to be of real help to patients and families. I emphasize again the families. One of the tough aspects of Parkinson’s disease is the challenges it presents for the family. Having a person with Parkinson’s in the family can change everyone’s life. Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence in universities throughout the world are researching how to best address the urgent needs of Parkinson’s patients and their families. We need to give these Centers money for more research, so more scientists can work on the problems of Parkinson’s.

The idea of making a planned gift incubated within me for quite a while. I liked knowing that, upon my demise, my money would go to causes I care about, and to organizations where I know the money will be well-spent. A lot of nonprofits spend a huge portion of money on self-aggrandizement. The Parkinson’s Foundation puts almost all funds directly toward the mission. I researched carefully to make sure my planned gift would be carried out properly.

I decided to deed 25 percent of my foundation to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Once I made the decision, the legal arrangements were easy to work out with my attorney. In fact, the actual task took minutes. By making a planned gift, I became a proud member of the Parkinson’s Foundation Legacy Society.

The decision makes me feel great. The money I’ve earned throughout my life is going to do something good that matters to me. It is deeply satisfying to know that even when I pass away, I will be improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s.

In coming to my decision, I spoke with my family. They were all very supportive. My daughter said, “Dad, you made this money. So it should go to what’s important to you.”

Many people think they don’t have the resources to make a planned gift, but in fact, they do. If you are considering making such a gift, there is nothing to be gained by delay. We are all mortal. Don’t let it happen that you pass away before your wishes are known and many thousands of people are helped through your generosity.

My great wish is for others to follow my example and create a legacy that is meaningful because of what it is used to accomplish. There is no greater satisfaction.

Throughout her life, Phyllis donated more than $200,000 to fund Parkinson’s research at her local level, namely at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical Foundation, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence where she received expert PD care.

“She lived to the age of 87, which is surely a result of her efforts to remain mentally and physically active,” said Susan Sockwell Bendlin, Phyllis’s daughter.

Phyllis lived with Parkinson’s for more than 20 years, consistently supporting her passion for PD research and public education. In 2013, when she was recog­nized as a “Town Treasure” Phyllis said, “I care about people…I care about making things bet­ter for others.”

Phyllis’s memory lives on. “Per my mother’s request, her brain was immediately donated in her effort to support of Parkinson’s research.” Phyllis also wanted to leave a legacy, so she left a 401(k) donation to the Foundation.

Phyllis will be remembered as a Parkinson’s advocate and now, as a Parkinson’s Foundation Legacy Society member. “I hope her monetary gift will help researchers find life-changing solutions to Parkinson’s,” Susan said.