“A co-worker’s child was born premature and had to be transported to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for care.”

This was when Brenda Green first learned about Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “I cannot imagine having a seriously ill child, and I love that the hospital takes such great care of the patient and the family.”

As Brenda started to learn more about the hospital’s expert medical care, Brenda decided to start donating to the annual fund. But she wanted to do more to ensure that children in our community have access to the best medical care.

“I talked with my financial adviser and decided to name the hospital as a beneficiary of my retirement account. Including the hospital in my estate plan was an easy decision for me. I am always looking at ways to support children and the hospital’s reputation speaks volumes.”

Helping others is a big part of who Brenda is and supporting, educating and advocating for children is a high priority for her. By including a gift in her estate plan, Brenda will be able to continue her life’s work of supporting children beyond her lifetime.

"If we could have selected our professions together," Annette Kelm says with a twinkle, "we would have been Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus."

"When someone you love is in a life or death situation, money doesn't matter anymore. All you care about are the ones you love, your family," Annette explains of including Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in their estate planning. Bruce, who sometimes finishes Annette's sentences—because they have been married 46 years— takes over, "It changes you completely and when you allow that change to take place, you know something good will come out of it." Annette steps back in, "Doing our part to take care of this hospital and the families that spend such profound time here like we did 14 years ago is the least we can do."

The "someone" in Annette and Bruce's life is a grandchild, now a healthy adult working with his father in the family business. He was just 6 when his leg started hurting and a visit to their family pediatrician in New Port Richey sent them immediately to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. The pediatrician sent them down to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and Jerry Barbosa, M.D.

It was cancer. But not just any cancer. It was Ewing's sarcoma, a rare condition that at the time was often life-ending. But even in those days, Johns Hopkins All Children's had a stellar cancer team with life-saving connections at Moffitt Cancer Center and an orthopedic oncologist, Doug Letson, M.D. He was the first doctor in the United States with access to the Stanmore JTS device, an implant for the leg that more than likely saved the child's leg and life.

Annette, who had been involved with Hospice for years, understood that when life puts you in a situation like this, you begin to see the world from a different perspective. "They work as a team at Johns Hopkins All Children's and from my time at Hospice, I know that teamwork is the gold standard."

She explains that being in a children's hospital for any length of time is like joining a club that you never wanted to join because it was too painful to become a member. As time went on, that precious club became a safety net for the family. It provided support and comfort. "There are not enough words to describe the staff at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. They are truly angels with skin," Annette says.

"That's how we knew where and how we could help," Annette explains. "There were families that lost their jobs, likely from caring for their sick child. Their incomes were limited, they couldn't pay their bills. That's who we wanted to help. We saw helping people pay their bills as money that would go right back into the hospital so the next family could be helped. It's a win-win. We especially wanted to help families who lost a child," she adds, recalling how close they came to losing their own grandchild. "Our donation will help pay for funerals. It will pay back bills. These are the last things grieving families should be forced to deal with. And we have been so blessed. We've given this a lot of thought, and it's the best place our trust can go."

But enough serious talk, Bruce and Annette need a laugh, so they recall the time they were driving home from Orlando and were surprised to see our grandchild on a billboard. He'd been featured in the Children's Miracle Network Telethon while at the hospital and his picture was everywhere. "I had his photo in my office," Annette adds, laughing, "and people would come in and say, 'Hey, I know that kid. I've seen him on I-75.'" They both chime in at "I-75" and finish with laughter.

A lot of laughter comes out of this family. A lot of love, and a lot of giving from a family that has been on both sides.

Betsy Walker and her husband, David, welcome any opportunity to meet up with their three children and their spouses, and especially their three granddaughters. Whether it's for a holiday dinner or a University of Florida football game, the Walker family gatherings can be large and lively events. However, Betsy and David don't mind. They know how lucky they are to have such a happy, healthy family.

Thirty-three years ago, after experiencing a very early miscarriage, Betsy discovered she was still carrying two babies. Her doctor mandated bed rest for the remainder of her high-risk pregnancy. At 28 weeks, Betsy went to her weekly appointment eager to learn how the twins, Brett and Kyndall, were growing.

Excitement quickly turned to fear when Brett's amniotic sac ruptured during the exam. Betsy's doctor quickly arranged for her transfer to Johns Hopkins All Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a regional referral center for the most critically ill newborns.

"My doctor said that for my babies to have any kind of a chance for survival, they had to go to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital," explains Betsy. "I had never heard of the hospital before, but we were incredibly grateful to learn that such a place existed so close. It was in that moment that I felt like we were giving Brett and Kyndall a real fighting chance."

Within three hours, Betsy went into hard labor. Doctors performed a C-section to avoid any head trauma for these incredibly fragile babies. Brett was the first to arrive. Betsy recalls, "Though I didn't see him, I did hear him cry. He sounded like a kitten." She was elated to hear his soft whimpers and expected to hear the same from Kyndall upon her arrival.

When she only heard silence, Betsy frantically asked "What's wrong with my baby?" Minutes, seeming more like hours, passed before she heard Kyndall's cry for the first time.

The Johns Hopkins All Children's team had successfully resuscitated Kyndall. Betsy was able to see her shortly thereafter. "She was bundled in a blanket, and all I could see was her tiny face and big, beautiful eyes."

Although Betsy could not accompany the twins, David was able to join the Johns Hopkins All Children's specialists as they transferred the babies to the NICU. Betsy required further surgery and ultimately was advised that she should not have any more children. Such news made her even more grateful that her babies survived birth.

"I was able to see them the day after my surgery," said Betsy. Brett weighed only one pound, thirteen ounces and was 13 ¼ inches long at birth, just slightly larger than a Barbie doll. Kyndall was a tad bigger at two pounds, two ounces and 13 ½ inches long. "They were lying on their tummies and hooked up to so many wires."

Brett and Kyndall, despite their size, were strong. Both were already off oxygen, which came as a surprise to both the family and caregivers given their prematurity. The good news continued until about a month later, when Brett had a medical emergency.

He was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious disease where bacteria invades the wall of the intestine and causes local infection and inflammation that can ultimately destroy the wall of the bowel. Brett's care team took immediate action and replaced his feeding tubes with an IV containing an antibiotic and another IV with a new type of nutritional solution. Betsy later learned that the solution was developed through pediatric research specifically to treat NEC. He recovered 100 percent.

Betsy and David feel passionate about the role Johns Hopkins All Children's clinical and research expertise played in helping their children. "Research and medical advancements saved my babies' lives. That's what this is all about. Research takes money. Our family believes that if we can spare just one other family from experiencing the loss of a baby, we'll do what's needed."

Since this experience, the Walkers have been devoted advocates and supporters of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. Brett and Kyndall participated in and were the poster children for the hospital's first annual telethon broadcast through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Betsy, David and the whole family also hosted an annual fundraising auction in their home for 16 years, with all proceeds benefiting the hospital.

Today, they continue to give back as Dream Builders by including Johns Hopkins All Children's in their will. Betsy reflects with sincerest gratitude, "I woke up that morning 33 years ago not knowing what adventure that day had in store for us. I didn't know that we would need a place like Johns Hopkins All Children's, but thank goodness it was there. Johns Hopkins All Children's didn't just give our kids a chance to live, they gave us a chance to be the family we are today."

For nearly three decades, Franklin Cantrell created the beauty that is the extensive gardens at the Ringling Museum of Art.

What is important to Frank, 71, is committing to finding the purpose in his own life. Creating a record—if only for himself—of his accomplishments, his stories, his years of LGBT advocacy (highlighted by several articles proudly published in the Bradenton Herald) and his deeds.

Frank is proud of what he has done, which he believes defines him, but there is one more thing that he wants to accomplish for his legacy as a single senior citizen who has no immediate family of his own.

He has decided to leave a portion of his estate to help children at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. Frank toured the facilities with his financial adviser and was impressed with what he saw. He went home and immediately filled out the paperwork that would make him a Dream Builder, a designation for those who leave a portion of their estate to the Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation.

Frank has special interest in the Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute. He is deeply concerned with the plight of these vulnerable children and he wants to help. He also learned that our institute is one of the largest pediatric oncology/hematology facilities in the southeast willing to accept the most acute cases, often cases that other hospitals have turned down.

The chance to be a part of it greatly moved him. Frank wants to leave a mark that will be remembered and appreciated by the families he is able to touch through financial assistance that will provide them with research, education and quality of care that a hospital like Johns Hopkins All Children's can offer.

"I want to share with people who I really am," Frank explains. "For those of us who are sensitive, it should not be surprising that we want to help children. They are the most vulnerable among us."

"When you reach that third stage of your life, you start thinking about what you want to leave behind as your legacy," explains Dream Builder Jan Cady, a Sarasota-based philanthropy and fundraising consultant.

"My career experience has largely involved working with children's hospitals throughout the country and, although I don't have any children of my own, I have stepchildren and now a granddaughter that I love dearly. You start thinking, who do I most want to help? Where will my giving make the most difference, not just immediately after I'm gone, but for generations?"

Passionate about children's health care and a longtime donor to several children's hospitals including Johns Hopkins All Children's, Cady started thinking about a gift that would keep on giving: a legacy gift. An endowed fund.

Cady and her husband, Phil, had just become year-round Florida residents and were updating their estate planning when the idea came up. "I hope people realize how important it is to update your will or trust when you move to another state. You need to work with an attorney to make sure you are following all the statutes," Cady adds. "It is also a wonderful time to consider all your beneficiaries. Are they current? Is this still what you really want? For my husband, Phil, and me, it was time for a few changes."

Cady realized during her years working with children's hospitals that super-busy physicians and other caregivers don't always have the time or funding for conferences or even to think of new ideas. "I knew those minds could benefit from inspiration and learning. I wanted to create a fund that would offer these dedicated clinicians and scientists the opportunity to build and grow their talents and lead them to wonderful ideas, innovation and cures. This kind of gift keeps giving and giving to future generations."

Cady established the Janet B. Cady Endowed Fund for Leadership and Innovation, which will be held in perpetuity by the Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation. The income from the fund will be used to support a caregiver or scientist who has shown notable leadership of a program or project to advance the hospital's mission, or to fund a caregiver or scientist who has demonstrated remarkable innovation to change children's lives for the better.

An endowed fund isn't the only way to become a Dream Builder, but it was, in Cady's mind, the most effective way to put her funds to good use.

"Phil is also a big fan of Johns Hopkins All Children's, and he supports this decision," she says. "Johns Hopkins All Children's is exactly the type of organization that works best for an endowment. You want to choose an institution that will be doing great work forever. Johns Hopkins isn't going anywhere so you know this money will continue to benefit children for a long time. That's a wonderful thought."

Cady is thrilled with her decision to help the hospital she loves. She is pleased to be part of a fund that will lead to innovation and change that will ultimately help find cures and meet the vision of improving pediatric health at Johns Hopkins All Children's through the Dream Builder program.

“Cancer just sucks the life out of a person. It's so hard to watch. The thought of it happening to a kid," Penny's voice trails off and she quickly changes the subject. "My dad died of cancer, and I see a lot of it though my work," she adds.

Penny is Penelope Hart, Dream Builder and financial planner—which gives her several connections to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. Penny has watched several family members and clients affected by cancer, and a friend's daughter was treated in the Johns Hopkins All Children's Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute. It has made an impression.

"This hospital really means something to me, especially when it comes to what it is doing for children with pediatric cancer, so I recently joined the Foundation's Planned Giving Cabinet, which is just being assembled," she says. "There are five of us—business owners, financial and wealth planners and attorneys—who all meet to find ways to get the word out about charitable giving. Our goal as a cabinet is to spread the word about the benefits of giving, especially planned giving, so I've made that my mission as one more way I can help a hospital that I care about."

Another impressionable moment for Penny was a friend and coworker sharing her own Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital story. At 3 years old, the friend's daughter had a stroke. The hospital reconstructed her aorta using a vein from the little girl's left arm. "The care she received was as if she were the child of the doctors and nurses. She is now a mother of four," Penny shares.

"What impresses me so much about Penny is her passion for everything in her life," explains Lydia Bailey, planned giving director for the Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation. "She cares so much about what she does for her clients, her expert advice is used in her own life as well. She saw a need at the hospital, she knew she spent her days explaining the benefits of legacy giving to her clients, and decided to do the same in her own life. It's that kind of passion that we wanted on our Planned Giving Cabinet."

Penny built her career around the financial needs of the boomer generation and as she gets closer to her own retirement and begins considering estate planning and planned giving, she realizes her clients are in the same position.

"As my clients age and their needs change, I've started learning so much about nonprofits over the past few years and it made me look at my own philanthropy, especially after finishing my Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation," she says. "I knew I needed to find something I was passionate about—and that is now the advice I give my clients. What do they really care about?"

Penny is affiliated with New York Life, a company that matches donations to specific types of organizations including childhood bereavement, accredited schools and educational partners. She has leveraged that opportunity as part of her charitable contribution to the hospital. She is eager to get the word out to business owners that matching programs are a win-win for everyone, especially the charity.

Although she doesn't recommend specific charities to her clients, Penny appreciates the opportunity to help them determine what is meaningful to them, and she loves sharing little tidbits that people don't often realize. For instance, if you determine that you don't need your life insurance benefits any longer, rather than canceling the plan, you can choose to make a charity the beneficiary. "It's one more way to give," she says, "and in fact, giving to Johns Hopkins All Children's is what I've also done through my own life insurance as well."

As Penny continues to help her clients plan their financial futures, she is comforted to know that her own plans are firm and that her own legacy will include helping the patients and families at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in more ways than one. Her hope is that others will too.

This article about Penelope Hart, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP® is written by Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital (JHACH). She is a Financial Adviser with Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor offering Investment Advisory Services & a Registered Representative for NYLIFE Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, A Licensed Insurance Agency, 309 W. Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Blvd., STE 300, Tampa, FL 33607. JHACH is solely responsible for the content, which may not represent the opinions of NYLIFE Securities LLC or any affiliates. Consult your own professional as neither NYLIFE Securities LLC nor representatives/affiliates provide legal, tax or accounting advice.

The first thing you need to know about Dream Builder Sheila Vincent is that she has five rules for living:

1. Respect all people and cultures
2. Be a peacemaker
3. Have empathy for the poor and marginalized
4. Remain humble
5. Have a sense of humor

You only need to talk to her for five minutes to realize she should have put humor first. "I'm telling you, these ideas get you through," she laughs. Sheila laughs a lot. It's infectious.

"My parents were good people and this is what they taught me. My dad was in the Navy. We lived in a lot of places. You learn to have a lot of empathy for people, especially children living overseas."

That empathy has carried Sheila far and has helped many people, especially children.

Sheila first got interested in Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital more than 20 years ago when her best friend "dragged" her to an event to volunteer. She was hooked.

"I was at an event when I made it official," she pronounces dramatically. "I got legally adopted by the Guild." Well, maybe not literally ... The Sarasota/Manatee Branch of The Guild, which supports and fundraises for Johns Hopkins All Children's, has been her favorite. Over the years, Sheila has relied on her own connections, friendships and even professional relationships to create events, raise money and volunteer time for the children at the main campus and at the Outpatient Care, Sarasota location.

Once when touring the main hospital, she was so impressed by the bright lights and swirling parts of a Vecta machine designed for autism therapy—and to create distractions for children fearing unknown machines like an MRI—that she recommended that the Sarasota/Manatee Branch use its Legacy fund to purchase a Vecta for the Sarasota location.

Sheila is a firebrand and her positive, fun-loving personality is not to be denied. As a worldly woman who speaks four languages, she now devotes her time to offering translation services to organizations including the non-government organizations of the United Nations, the Franciscan Federation, and Congressional committee meetings. She also has a loving relationship with the dancers of the Sarasota Ballet, so it's no coincidence that, before long, a trail of professional dancers entered the Children's Auditorium to perform for patients at Johns Hopkins All Children's. She also has convinced ballet members to volunteer at events in Sarasota.

Sheila makes things happen and when she decided to become a Dream Builder, she knew exactly how she wanted her money spent. She credits Lydia Bailey, senior gift officer for Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation, with convincing her to take that next logical step and include the hospital in her will. "Lydia is so sincere. It was evident that she really believes in this hospital, and she made me realize that there is so much more I can do as a Dream Builder even more than through a large donation now," Sheila explains. "Indigent care is so important to me. I follow the Franciscan tradition, and I believe in taking care of the poor. The idea that someone would be reticent to take their child to the hospital just because of money just doesn't sit well with me." So Sheila decided that was how she wanted to help. She also chose pediatric cancer as a recipient of her donations.

And, of course, she still volunteers. "I do the registration for All Kids Wonderland every December at the main campus," she explains. Wonderland provides holiday gift options offered by donors to stressed and busy parents who can't leave the hospital. "I get to talk to every single parent who participates in the program, and it's unforgettable to see the looks on their faces, the relief," she recalls, shaking her head. "I talked to one mother who said her child was having heart surgery at that moment.

You can't forget these things. I've also done several tours of the hospital, the neonatal intensive care unit. You see dedication first hand. And the children themselves are so in love with this hospital and so dedicated.

Sheila invited a family friend and former hospital patient to tell her story at the recent Miracle Ball. The girl had leukemia when she was 3 and came to Johns Hopkins All Children's around the time Sheila got involved. Now she's about to head off to college but took time to tell her story. "That's dedication," Sheila says.

Sheila's five rules for living are paying dividends. Not only for her, but for everyone around her who has "caught" her infectious zest for life, her incredible empathy and her dedication to helping those in need.

Different people have different reasons for becoming supporters of Johns Hopkins All Children’s, but for Mark and Patty LaPrade, their motive weighed in at a breathtaking 1 pound, 15 ounces – their granddaughter. She and the rest of the LaPrades, spent her first 75 days in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU.)

“Patty and I grew up in St. Petersburg; we’ve lived here our whole lives. We’ve even visited Johns Hopkins All Children’s over the years for the odd bump and scrape, but really, you have no idea what you have here right in your own backyard until you experience it first hand – until you really need this hospital to save a life,” explains Mark. “We, along with our daughter Tracie and son-in-law Steve, were on pins and needles the entire time our granddaughter was in the NICU ... and on our knees by the way: Praying. We were really blessed that we lived right here and that these facilities were available to us.

“The level of expertise, the incredible number of specialties they can handle ... and the facilities are all amazing. We are doing pediatric heart transplants, helping cancer patients, saving preemies, conducting child-related research, teaching physicians... Who else has that in Tampa Bay?”

Patty – who volunteers for the hospital (and works hard to recruit other volunteers!) – points out that just that morning she had spoken with a parent who had to travel from Fort Myers and faced several hours of seasonal traffic to bring their child here for surgery. “It’s a hidden gem and I’m not sure enough people really understand our good fortune,” she adds.

Mark – who is clearly passionate about Johns Hopkins All Children’s – can’t help but put on his Trustee hat when he speaks about the hospital. As a longtime successful business owner, Mark has offered his business expertise as part of the Foundation Board since not long after his granddaughter made her incredible recovery in our NICU in 2002. Taylor is now 13 and perfectly healthy.

“We’ve had the good fortune in our lives to serve for several Tampa Bay charities, and we’ve enjoyed them all, but we’ve never been as attached as we are to Johns Hopkins All Children’s,” says Mark. He currently serves as vice chair, so Mark has had years to examine the hospital inside out and he is as much a believer today as he was back in that NICU as a grateful grandparent. In fact, he believes strongly enough to have included the hospital in his estate planning.

“Becoming a Dream Builder just made sense to us,” Mark explains. “The personal satisfaction was key, and of course there are the tax benefits that come with estate planning, which helped make the decision. But I think the best thing you can do if you are thinking about becoming a Dream Builder is visit this hospital. Take a tour. Once you see – and have a real understanding of the miracles worked here every day – the decision is one of the easiest you will make.”

Mark and Patty have completed several “Live the Mission” events during their years with the hospital. (Live the Mission is a hands-on experience that allows participants to shadow physicians and staff.) One – just a few years ago – included a visit to the NICU, which is much larger and more advanced than the old facilities that once housed little Taylor in an incubator. Though they had seen it before, they remain impressed.

Certainly the bells and whistles have a tendency to impress many, but imagine their shock when one of the nurses walked up and asked how Taylor was doing. “It had been 11 years since we’d seen this nurse,” Mark says, shaking his head in disbelief. “Not only did she remember our faces and names, but she remembered having cared for our granddaughter more than a decade ago! If that doesn’t tell you something about the level of dedication and care being offered at this hospital every single day, I don’t know what will.”

Life-changing moments of inspiration can happen at any time. For Philip Thalman, that moment came when he met his good friend’s granddaughter, Willow, nearly five years ago.

Before she was even born, Willow’s family knew that she would face multiple health issues and spend a long time in the hospital. She was named Willow because she would need to bend and be flexible with the challenges facing her. Little Willow has seizures, a weak immune system, severe asthma and Tuberous Sclerosis. She has been in the hospital more than 30 times, including the time she had heart surgery. According to Philip, “Willow thinks the hospital is a normal place to go, like a playground or school. She doesn’t know any differently.”

The most surprising aspect of Willow’s condition for Philip is that, “She is happy all the time. She makes the best out of the worst – give me some of that medicine!”

Philip is now retired. Fortunately, his family is doing well so he wants to help make a difference for Willow and other kids like her. When thinking about who did the most for Willow, he immediately thought of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “Willow’s desire and happiness – I’ve never seen anything like this before. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital helped her get to this point.”

Philip decided to name Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Foundation as 50% beneficiary of his 401K. Additionally, he learned about the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Child Life Department’s efforts to host a Homecoming Dance last October for patients. He generously supported that effort and continues to explore other ways to help.

“I needed to take a chunk of what I have and put it towards those who need it the most.”

Philip recently toured the hospital to learn more. He encourages others to do the same. “Willow was my inspiration. You gotta be in the trenches and experience Johns Hopkins All Children’s to understand the story of these kids firsthand – Johns Hopkins All Children’s goes out of their way to help children.”

Mollie Brown is, by her own admission, opinionated. She'll tell it to you the way it is. She believes that all children should have a chance at a healthy and happy life. "That's why I contacted the Foundation. They sent me a packet of information that gave my advisor everything we needed to make Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Foundation the beneficiary after we are gone."

Mollie and her husband, Kelly, have watched the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Telethon for many years and have been impressed at how the Hospital's reach extends beyond St. Petersburg, helping children near their home in Sun City Center, Florida as well as from many other Florida communities. They have worked hard all their lives and wanted their wishes known in advance; they don't want to leave anything to chance. Mollie says. "My son would be proud of what I have done. I know he is smiling down on us because we are helping the little kids."