Legacy Gift Supports Pediatric Cancer Patients

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it impacts an entire family.

Richard and Julie Slone know this all too well. In 2004, their 10-year-old nephew, Kevin M. Willis, was diagnosed with stage IV Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. He received treatment at Akron Children’s Foundation from the time he was diagnosed until, sadly, he passed away in April 2005.

To honor Kevin and help other children being treated for cancer at our hospital, the couple decided to make a legacy gift in the form of a bequest to support the Children’s Cancer Fund at Akron Children’s Foundation.

“We had never heard of Ewing’s sarcoma before he was diagnosed,” said Julie. “Once your family is affected by a child with cancer, it’s shocking how many different types there are and how many children are diagnosed daily. It’s our greatest hope that one day, there will be cures for them all and that no family goes through this again.”

Simple gift giving that leaves a lasting impact

The Slones were first introduced to the idea of a legacy gift from a mailer they received from our hospital.

“The letter explained how you could choose to include the hospital in your last will and testament,” said Julie. “We knew immediately that we needed to do this in memory of Kevin.”

To make their gift, Richard and Julie worked with representatives from the Akron Children’s Foundation Foundation, who helped make the gift-giving process as simple as possible. They supplied the couple with the verbiage they needed to give their attorney—and it was easy to make it part of their estate plan.

“We did not have children of our own,” said Julie. “It was important to us when we were doing our last will and testament to help those organizations that perform research and offer support to children with cancer.”

Help for pediatric cancer patients and their families

Through their gift, Richard and Julie hope to bring awareness about the number of families that have children being treated at Akron Children’s for cancer.

“When you receive the news that a child in your family has cancer, it’s devastating,” said Julie. “We weren’t aware that Akron Children’s had such an extensive pediatric cancer center until Kevin was diagnosed. The hospital did its best not only with Kevin’s treatment, but also to make my sister and her family as comfortable as they could be while staying with him—sometimes for weeks at a time.”

These comforts included the play area in the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, where Kevin’s little sister would spend time while visiting him. Family-focused amenities and other support services can make a big difference for families during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

“Our family misses Kevin daily,” said Julie. “He was a funny, loving and adorable little boy. He and all of the children we met who were fighting cancer at Akron Children’s were so strong and brave. Their courage will always remain with us. If there’s anything we can do to help in their treatment and overall support of their families while at the hospital, that is our goal.”

Make a legacy gift to support the patients and families at Akron Children’s Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Contact Jason V. Sanders, JD at 330-543-8343 or plannedgiving@akronchildrens.org.