Robert De Marco, MD, FCCP, was one of the first Champions Circle and Founder’s Society donors to make a major gift through insurance. We thank the De Marco family for their support in championing lung health, and it’s our pleasure to share the highlights of a recent interview with Dr. De Marco.
Why did you choose to give through insurance?
Dr. Robert De Marco
How was the process? Did you know anything about giving through insurance beforehand?
I knew nothing about donating insurance. I heard about it during a board strategy session and realized I had a policy that could be donated. I contacted my insurance company. I was sent forms, which were easy to fill out. The forms were then forwarded to CHEST for some signatures, and it was completed. It could not have been easier.
Would you recommend this method of giving to other donors?
Absolutely. If this policy isn’t vital to your family after you are gone, there could not be a better choice.
Why was this choice right for you and your family?
If you must take a significant amount of money out of your savings to make a sizable donation, you can put a serious dent in your retirement income. To be able to make that gift without any effect on my savings is a win-win for everyone.
Why do you continue to give to the CHEST Foundation?
I have spent my whole career trying to deal with diseases of the chest. What better way to sustain my efforts than to support a foundation dedicated to my life’s dreams? There is nothing more fulfilling than helping fund research or a project that could forever change the future of our patients’ lives. I truly believe we, as a group, are on the right path to succeeding in doing just that.
How is giving to the CHEST Foundation fulfilling to you?
How can any effort that will make the lives of our patients better not be fulfilling? Giving my time and effort without the expectation of something in return is an amazing feeling—one that I hope many donors in the future will realize. Just being a part of this great organization is a phenomenal experience.
GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE
Easy Solutions for a Greater Impact
If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, you may consider gifting it to the CHEST Foundation.
You can also create a new policy naming the CHEST Foundation as the owner and beneficiary. An annual gift equal to the insurance premium can be given, which would provide you with a charitable deduction. The foundation would then direct the funds to the insurance provider.
This is an excellent win-win solution for you and the CHEST Foundation. For more information on these and other ways to support the CHEST Foundation, confidentially and with no obligation, contact Rudy Anderson at randerson@chestnet.org or 224/521-9492.