Even as a child, Lisa Westfield had a knack for solving puzzles. In fact, her parents realized that giving Lisa a mind-bending challenge was a great way to keep their young daughter entertained. It turned out that Lisa's early drive to find answers was a quality that heralded her future as a medical scientist.
Indeed, Lisa has spent most of her adult life engaged in complex hematology research. But she doesn't think her abilities are random. Instead, Lisa, who's a strong believer in genetic influence, is convinced her love of science is inherited. One might even say it's in her blood.
Describing the science-related backgrounds of several relatives, she hones in on one particular maternal uncle. He had worked in early photoreconnaissance for the Army during World War II and later joined the aerospace industry. After he succumbed to lung cancer, Lisa and her mother decided to honor him by arranging a gift in their estate plans to The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital for thoracic oncology research.
Fighting cancer is particularly important to Lisa because it has claimed so many family members. In addition to her uncle and other relatives, Lisa's father was a victim of lung cancer and her mother died from lymphoma.
"A legacy gift is one of the most meaningful ways to honor a loved one," she says. "I've spent my career in research, so I appreciate the need for money. A couple hundred dollars can pay for a chemical that is badly needed. These funds are critical for new advancements. I've been able to see it."
You can support an area important to you in perpetuity through a gift in your estate plan. To learn how, please contact Joan Cheaney, CFRE, at 314-286-0704 or PlannedGiving@BJC.org.