"I have found a charitable gift annuity to be a great way to donate to an organization that I want to support and get lifetime income at the same time — a win-win."

Russ Wing, Founders Society member, has created a charitable gift annuity (CGA) to honor his late wife, Katy.

In loving memory of his wife, Katy, with whom he shared nearly 50 years of marriage, Russ Wing supports the Alzheimer's Association. Their life together was filled with meaningful traditions, including their annual June dinner of homemade strawberry shortcake. Russ still cherishes the photo of Katy holding her plate, smiling over their family tradition.

Russ and Katy met at the University of Washington in the mid-1960s, eventually building a life that included Russ' military service, graduate school, and several homes and jobs while raising two boys. They were on course for an enjoyable retirement when Katy began having memory problems around 2013.

"She really didn't want to hear about it, and I can't blame her for that," Russ says. "After all, who among us wants to be told that we may no longer be ‘playing with a full deck?'"

Katy's physician recommended that she try activities designed to stimulate her brain, but Katy's memory loss persisted and worsened.

A turning point came during a holiday trip in late 2015 when Katy suddenly "freaked out" — a reaction Russ recalls as "totally out of character." It led to further medical evaluation, including a 2016 MRI that revealed a 5‑centimeter brain tumor.

"From then on, her medical team focused on the brain tumor, something they could clearly see and potentially treat, and they really ignored her memory loss, something they couldn't see as clearly and weren't sure how to treat," Russ says.

The MRI was followed by brain tumor surgery and recovery, but Katy's memory problems worsened.

"In spite of being together for 48-plus years, now Katy wasn't always sure who I was," Russ recalls. "That was tough."

When the tumor returned aggressively in 2017, Katy no longer wanted further treatment.

"At that point, Katy's tolerance for medical procedures had worn very thin," Russ says. "So because the ‘Original Katy' was gone and not coming back, hospice care was started."

She died later that year.

Thinking back on the experience, Russ recommends using the Association's resources. "There are a lot more resources available today than when I was a caregiver," he says. "Today's caregivers should take advantage of Association resources. They will need them."

"Be informed so you can plan ahead, especially for support services as the disease progresses. The journey is challenging enough even with good information."

In the years since, Russ has been a volunteer advocate with the Association. He joined the Alzheimer's Impact Movement, a separately incorporated advocacy affiliate of the Association, and is a Leadership Society member. He also participates in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's®.

"In addition to honoring Katy, I walk to raise awareness about this terrible disease — and I walk to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association to fund their various programs, especially caregiver support and advocacy," he explains.

He gives with both heart and purpose — and he has chosen to extend that support through a charitable gift annuity benefiting the Association. Russ describes this decision simply and sincerely: "I have found it to be a great way to donate to an organization that I want to support and get lifetime income at the same time — a win-win."

He offers gentle guidance to others considering the same path: "Make sure you and your heirs understand what a charitable gift annuity is and how it works. If you like it, select the right amount and do it."

Grateful for Katy, for their life together and for the work being done to support families like his, Russ continues to share his story so that others may feel less alone on their own journeys.
 

Donor spotlight

Andy and Ricci Sanchez

"We hope there are more promising breakthroughs while we're still here, and we want to be part of this battle even when we're gone. We'll never stop!"

Read Andy & Ricci's Story

John Strader

"With the dire necessity to improve the situation for the people that are living with this disease and the people that are caring for them, I decided this is the best place to invest our estate after Lisa and I are gone."

Read John's Story

Diane Young

"I want to help the Association continue its work on research, clinical trials and free resources for caregivers. Without money, they can't do those things. That's going to be a part of my legacy to my mom."

Read Diane's Story

Anjanette Kichline

"I'm so proud to be able to honor my father and other family members who lost their fights to Alzheimer's. My dad was an inspiration to me, and I hope, through my gift, I can inspire others to join the fight to end Alzheimer's."

Read Anjanette's Story

JJ and Tim Jordan

"A world without Alzheimer's is the legacy we would like to leave behind. Hopefully, whatever we end up leaving will help support other families like ours. We would not have survived without the Association. We just never felt alone."

Read JJ & Tim's Story

Pat and Dave Krebs

"We want to play an active part in the vision of the Alzheimer's Association — that one day, there will be a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia."

Read Pat & Dave's Story

Find your local Alzheimer's Association Planned Giving Advisor

Our planned giving team is here to answer questions about including the Alzheimer's Association in a will, trust, beneficiary designations or other legacy planning opportunities. 

Contact the planned giving team

Jill Workman
Alzheimer's Association
Senior Director, Planned Giving
Phone: 866.233.5148
Email: plannedgiving@alz.org