Laurie Beckelman worked at the Trust for almost 12 years, leading the teams that develop the messaging to raise money for patients at the hospital. But when it comes to supporting the mission at Boston Children’s, it’s always been more than just a job for Laurie.
A profound personal connection
Laurie’s dad was born with a heart defect that couldn’t be diagnosed let alone cured when he was young. It wasn’t discovered until he failed his World War II physical. Back then, people with his condition rarely lived beyond their 20s. But Laurie’s dad reached 92, thanks to one of Boston Children’s great heart surgeons.
All in the family
Robert Gross, MD, perfected a technique to correct the defect. He accepted Laurie’s father as an adult patient and saved his life. Because of this, Boston Children’s became Laurie’s parents’ charity of choice. Now, it’s Laurie and her husband’s, too.
A lasting impact
Most recently, Laurie and her husband made a planned gift that provides them with income in retirement, allowing them to have the greatest possible impact. Laurie’s dad’s treatment may also have had an impact, too—today, the hospital treats adult heart patients through the Boston Adult Congenital Heart (BACH) Division, ensuring child cardiac patients can get the lifelong care they need.
Laurie’s family is forever thankful for the dedication, determination, and sheer talent of the researchers and clinicians who keep families like theirs whole.
