I have a confession to make: I’ve always liked to think of myself as still too young to worry about things like wills, trusts, and planned giving. But, as much as I’d like to deny it, the calendar doesn’t lie. The time has come to start thinking about these things.
Since I don’t have children or family members who rely on me financially, I’ve had the freedom to get a little creative with what I want to do with my nest egg. It’s not huge, but it’s what I like to call "respectable." My friends, ever practical, remind me that it doesn’t need to be left in limbo if something happens to me. They’re right, of course.
And, honestly, I’m no different from many of you. I, too, want to leave a legacy of some kind, even if it’s a modest one. That’s why I chose to become a legacy donor for the ASH Foundation. It just made sense for me. ASHA has been my professional home for over 20 years—first as a practicing speech-language pathologist working in healthcare, and later as part of the staff in the practice and academic affairs units at the national office.
Now, I’ll admit, I wasn’t always the most consistent donor over the years. Life gets busy, you know? But this is my way of making up for that, and if I’m being honest, it feels good to know that after I’m gone, I’ll still be able to make a difference. My contribution will support better outcomes for people with communication disorders and help the next generation of clinicians and researchers who will serve them.
Planning for the end isn’t exactly fun. But there’s real comfort in knowing that what I’ve saved will continue to support the profession and the community that’s meant so much to me for so many years. The process of becoming a legacy donor was surprisingly easy, and I’d encourage my friends—whether they have kids or not—to consider giving to organizations that have touched their lives.
I hope I’ll be around for a good long while. But there’s peace in knowing that when the time comes, my little nest egg will continue to make an impact.
Silvia Quevedo, CCC-SLP
ASHFoundation Legacy Donor since 2024