Derek and Kelly Lovley, microbiologists at UMass Amherst, have expressed their gratitude to Cooley Dickinson in numerous ways. They made a grateful patient gift to the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital to honor the care Derek received both in Boston and Northampton. Their estate planning includes Cooley Dickinson.
Recently, the Lovleys were considering another gift to Cooley when they learned about the campaign to expand and renovate the Emergency Department. Says Derek, “Our family has had a number of opportunities to utilize the Emergency Department. Though the medical services have been excellent, the facilities left something to be desired.”
Notes Kelly, “The one time I needed Cooley Dickinson’s medical services was in the middle of the night in the Emergency Department. I was used to the state-of-the art Cancer Center facilities, where Derek was treated. The disparity in the quality of the facilities was huge.” Derek adds, “It just made sense to help ensure that the Emergency Department should come up to par with Cooley Dickinson’s other outstanding facilities.” The Lovleys made their gift via a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), a tax-saving way to donate directly from a retirement account, especially when there is a required minimum distribution each year for anyone over the age of 70 ½ years.
“Kelly and I love this area. So, we want our healthcare facilities to be the best they can be,” notes Derek. “If you have the ability to give and help the community, you should,” says Kelly.
