An investment in compassion

Few individuals diagnosed with blood cancer would consider themselves “fortunate,” but Larry Hirsch is an exception. In 2004, when he learned he needed a life-saving blood stem cell transplant, he was fortunate to find a genetically matched donor on the NMDP Registry. As he underwent treatment at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, he befriended other transplant patients and their families. He was deeply moved by the financial struggles many of them faced.

“My family has been blessed,” Larry says. “We have resources in excess of what most people have, and I had great health insurance. But even for us, the costs associated with transplant were considerable. My wife, Iva, and I are both lawyers, and had to shut down our practice while we focused on my treatment. Other families really struggled with lost income, moving costs and uninsured expenses. It takes so much mental energy to maintain a positive attitude, you don’t want to be distracted by worries about how you’re going to put food on the table. That’s what inspired us to help other families by making a planned gift through NMDP.”

Today, Larry is cured and feeling great. Iva has beaten breast cancer and is also cancer free. Their children, moved by their parents’ experience and example, are pursuing careers to benefit others, working in the fields of immunotherapy, family therapy and mental health.

We can help you find a gift that works best for your goals. Additionally, if you’ve included NMDP in your estate or financial plans, please let us know. By informing us, we can recognize it now and ensure that your gift has a lasting impact. Please contact Amy Bigot at (763) 406-8725 | Toll Free: (800) 507-54271 or amy.bigot@nmdp.org.