As a mother, there is no greater calling than to care for your child—and when my daughter Amy fell ill with ME/CFS nearly eight years ago, I knew I would do whatever it took to support her. Watching her go from a vibrant young woman to being house-bound was heartbreaking. Despite her physical suffering, Amy’s spirit has remained resilient and hopeful—for answers, for treatment, and one day, a cure.
After years of frustration and medical dismissal, a chance viewing of the movie Unrest changed everything. It led her to a diagnosis, to a physician who finally listened, and to the life-saving support of the ME/CFS community, including Open Medicine Foundation.
As Amy’s caregiver, my role goes beyond getting her to appointments—my heart, energy, and resources are now committed to this cause. That’s why I’ve chosen to include Open Medicine Foundation in our estate plans by naming them as a beneficiary on our Donor Advised Fund, along with other provisions in our trust and will. It is one of the most meaningful ways I can carry out the wishes of those who came before us—and help build a future where others like Amy have real answers and real hope.
With hope for all,
~Vella
You, too, can make a lasting difference. By including OMF in your estate planning, you can help accelerate research that brings real answers to people living with ME/CFS and Long COVID. Planned gifts of any size have the power to shape the future and provide resources that fuel discovery.
Some options to consider include:
- Naming OMF in your will.
- Adding OMF as a beneficiary of your IRA, retirement account, or life insurance policy.
- Establishing a charitable trust that benefits both your loved ones and OMF’s mission.
To learn more about these opportunities, please visit our Planned Giving page or reach out to us directly—we are here to guide you through the process.
Your legacy can bring hope where it’s needed most. Together, we can create a future where patients like Amy have answers, treatments, and a chance for a brighter future.
Donate your appreciated stock directly to OMF and you can receive an immediate income-tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer (even if you originally paid much less for them).