The Dream for a Cure Lives On
The late Noreen Sutherland knew how to translate passion into action.
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“Noreen was a rare individual who spread an irrepressible joy wherever she went," says Peter MacMahon, of the Investors Group in Saskatoon. As Mrs. Sutherland’s financial consultant, he advised her to consider a bequest when he learned of her wish to do something meaningful with her estate.
“A cure for rheumatoid arthritis wasn’t found in her lifetime but she remained hopeful that a future generation might benefit from research into this painful disease,” said Mr. MacMahon.
The result was a gift of over $150,000 bequeathed to the Royal University Hospital Foundation in the form of a life insurance policy. Mrs. Sutherland designated the funds to support research into rheumatoid arthritis at RUH.
Mrs. Sutherland was 16 years-old when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease that challenged her zest for life but never robbed her of happiness. She lived with chronic pain, underwent numerous surgeries, but continued to greet life with a smile as big as her heart.
“She was so happy about her decision to leave a gift to the hospital,” says Neil Sutherland, Noreen’s husband. “She spent a lot of time up there and thought the world of the doctors and nurses she got to know over the years. The gift was her way of saying ’thank you, keep up the good work, find a cure, you can do it.’”
The practical side of the bequest also suited Noreen and Neil. The couple did not have to tie up their own day-to-day capital yet they knew that a significant donation would one day be made to RUH.
“I believe that Noreen and Neil also appreciated some of the tax savings that occurred during Noreen’s lifetime,” said Mr. MacMahon.
“Sadly, she left this world much sooner than any of us imagined. She is greatly missed.”
Noreen Sutherland’s legacy gift was accepted with deep gratitude by medical researchers at RUH. The Dreams of a remarkable woman live on – to find a cure for rheumatoid arthritis.
