FEATURE STORY
Driven to Give
To help families and their children facing the unthinkable , Diane and Kent Fannon offered a planned gift to the Child Life program .
he experience of losing someone close to you is a defining experience in anyone ’ s life . For young children , the sadness may be compounded with feelings of confusion or hurt — perhaps even feeling like something they did was the cause of their loved one ’ s death . To help understand difficult concepts like illness and death , a very special Child Life department within Palliative Care at Baylor Scott & White Health supports grieving families . The channels to conducting virtual visits to providing age-appropriate materials digitally , the Child Life Specialists found a way to serve their important mission .
Also refusing to be sidelined by the
COVID-19 pandemic are Diane and Kent Fannon , philanthropists who recently committed a $ 2 million planned gift to support and expand the Child Life program .
“ There ’ s a common thread for us in our philanthropy , and that ’ s supporting your dollars to go ,” Diane said . “ Estate planning is something important to do , and the more specific you can be about your estate plan , the better .”
“ The need is out there ,” Kent said . “ Maybe you give through planned giving , or maybe you give something now . It ’ s invaluable to get that message out .” Kent and Diane are moved by the possibility of making a positive impact department staffs Child Life Specialists who are trained in helping young children through what may be one of the most difficult experiences of their lives before , during and after a loss .
It takes incredible dedication to serve families experiencing death or a lifechanging illness of a family member . In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , however , Child Life Specialists have endured even more challenges as access to patients and children at different stages in their lives through the challenges they face ,” Kent explained , detailing the Fannons ’ approach to giving as something that fulfills the couple personally while they help others so generously . “ We can ’ t
Refusing to be sidelined by the
COVID-19 pandemic are Diane and Kent Fannon , philanthropists who recently committed a $ 2 million planned gift to support and expand the Child Life program . families had to be adjusted in an effort to help keep everyone as safe as possible from the virus .
“ People nearing the end of life is a process that is still happening , and we couldn ’ t leave the kids in a lurch ,” explained Cinda McDonald , director of Palliative Care Child Life Administration , who led the Child Life team in pivoting to accommodate the needs of children and families . From finding appropriate forget about needs that will be out there even after COVID for programs like this .”
Philanthropy helps the Fannons share their passion for helping others , and they advocate for giving what you can , when you can . Planned giving is one aspect that may interest others , they said , as a way to ensure that their legacy contributes the way they intend . “ If you ’ re going to leave something to an organization , do your homework on where specifically you want on families during a difficult time in their lives — a legacy that extends far past their own lives . Their support of the Child Life program allows them to do just that .
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THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE FOUNDATION NEWS / WINTER 2020