I want SHARE to have a future
Mary-Jo Knight
My involvement with SHARE began with my friend Shan's diagnosis of breast cancer 20 years ago. Shan and I had met a few years before her diagnosis at a personal development intensive training. She, as a magical and sturdy friend, stayed by my side while I cried for hours one terrible night during the training. I never forgot how much that meant to me and how important it was not to feel alone.
When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, I wanted to do something about it and became connected to SHARE's first Walk-A-Thon. So I mobilized a group of women of fellow members of the local Women's Life Underwriters chapter. We gathered 20 walkers, raised money and had a fun day…and walked for years together. In addition, as an AXA Foundation's Volunteer Action Committee member, I was able to get them to sponsor and build a team at AXA that lasted for several years too.
SHARE's Executive Director Alice Yaker is very accessible and became a friend who I found personally inspiring, an energetic, focused and powerful role model. After an absence of several years, Alice returned to being Executive Director and asked me to get involved again. While I no longer had much time, I was able to use my experience in charitable giving to help fundraise.
So, I applied for a $50,000 universal life insurance policy which cost me about $1,100 a year if I committed to pay it for 10 years. I knew I could afford that – and I knew that if I got cancer that I would get this back 100 times over in loving care from SHARE – so I named SHARE the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policy on me and am committed to paying it for the rest of the remaining years.
I also receive a full tax-deduction every year for the amount of the insurance premium because I send SHARE my annual donation of $1,100 and they use it to pay the insurance company. For me tax-wise, it is a charitable donation. Now, no matter when I pass, SHARE will receive a $50,000 donation. I wish that it was $1 million. Maybe someone reading this will be inspired- if 10 people reading this were so moved, it would be a great start at ensure SHARE's future.
A future so those facing breast or ovarian cancer would always have someone to be there like a valued and trusted friend.
What was also really cool was when I had stock that I bought at a lower cost than what it was when it was donation time. I sent over the (appreciated) stock to SHARE, they sold it and used the proceeds to pay the life insurance premium. This can be a great tax strategy for a charitable donation, depending on your situation.
Nearly twenty years later, I stay involved with SHARE because I want it to be there if I ever need the support that is the core of its mission. I've also referred many women to SHARE, including my younger sister, who is happy and healthy today.