Donor Recognition

The Story of a Survivor

Julie A. Williams is a woman who shares her heart even when she could have cause to lock it away. Julie has two sayings, one of which is, “Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears”, and she has lived by that since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2007. She had delayed her annual mammogram for many reasons that we all have used, but had to go in for a CT for something else. In that CT they happened to see something that they encouraged her to have checked. And that ‘something’ was breast cancer.

Julie A. Williams

Julie is a strong advocate for women to get their annual mammograms and not to use those excuses to delay. Julie stated, “If I had to get cancer, I’m glad it was here and that Angel Medical Center was MY hospital. Being diagnosed with breast cancer and going through the treatment was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure, however, the care and compassion from everyone at Angel made it easier. Everyone from the volunteers and the girls in registration to the surgeon and OR nurses and staff, to Angel’s Home Health Care—they all were competent and caring. The radiology team, the ones working the lab, Outpatient Medicine and Same Day Surgery, everyone gave me the confidence that I could and would beat this. Even the couple of times I had to visit the ER during my chemo treatments, I was treated with respect and dignity. And anyone that has gone through something such as this knows how important dignity can be! The Dr’s, nurse and other staff at Angel far exceeded my expectations!”

Why I Give

Grace Hill has been a volunteer with the AMC Auxiliary for nearly twenty years. During this time she has accumulated more than 17,000 hours working in the Angel’s Touch Gift Shop. “When you volunteer, you get back more than you give. I have had the pleasure to work with such terrific people, and our customers are fantastic.” Grace enjoys making baby afghans for sale in the Gift Shop, and the lap robes she makes for Angel Home Health and Angel Physical Therapy are highly coveted. “I like to help others with my time, and talent. The hospital feels like family and charity begins at home.”

Husband, Charles “Chuck” Hill is also supportive of Angel Medical Center. He and Grace are lifetime members of the Century Club, now the Foundation for Angel Medical Center. “We are fortunate to have a marvelous facility like Angel Medical Center in Macon County. We all benefit from AMC and we believe it is important to financially support Angel. The Foundation for Angel Medical Center depends on many people giving gifts and no gift is too small. We don’t give with the expectation to receive anything in return; however, our gifts seem to multiply as we give them away. ”

Charity Begins at Home

Nancy Spagnoli knows the value of charitable planning firsthand. In March 1997, she established a charitable remainder trust that names Angel Medical Center as the remainder beneficiary. In making her gift to Angel Medical Center, Nancy saw the opportunity for a teachable moment. She expressed her wish to use this opportunity “to educate the community on the value of providing gifts to nonprofit organizations through a charitable remainder trust.” Nancy has been a long-time supporter and advocate for Angel Medical Center. She acknowledges that Angel has a special place in her heart because of the caring physicians, compassionate nurses, and dedicated volunteers.

Nancy funded her trust with highly appreciated stocks that would have ordinarily created a capital gain if she sold them. However, since a charitable remainder trust does not pay capital gains taxes, Nancy was able to diversify her portfolio without incurring any capital gain by first creating the trust and selling the securities within the trust. She receives payments of 8% a year, payable each month. Nancy also received a charitable income tax deduction that she was able to use the year she funded her trust and for five subsequent years.

In summary, by establishing a charitable remainder trust Nancy was able to

o Increase her cash flow

o Receive a substantial income tax deduction

o Reduce the risk of her portfolio by diversification without incurring capital gains taxes