Caroline on why she has chosen to leave a gift to Lung Foundation Australia in her Will.
“To me, a gift to Lung Foundation Australia in my Will is a gift to future generations of Australians, to ensure that they can live the lives that they want – in longer health and with greater support.”
Caroline lost her husband, Bill, in 2009 after he lived and managed his lung condition for over 20 years, which was later diagnosed as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
“Bill was diagnosed with emphysema in 1996. I was not aware of the term COPD until late 2006 when we returned to Australia. Even though Bill had the condition I feel that we knew very little about it until the last two years …
“(yet) Bill was always very positive and tried to ease the burden on me of him having a chronic condition.”
“We wanted to live to be very old together.”
Bill and Caroline were passionate advocates for lung health and worked tirelessly over many years to improve the lives of those living with not only COPD, but all lung conditions.
Bill made a lasting impact and a real difference in the lung health community. Even in his final years he remained heavily involved with Lung Foundation Australia and our support programs.
“We both really appreciated the support of the folks at Lung Foundation Australia. They really listen to what people say they need and then they provide it.”
Caroline has continued to honour Bill’s legacy after his death and has stayed closely involved with our community. She wants to make sure there will always be support for every person living with lung disease and sees her gift as a way to keep Bill’s legacy alive, now and well into the future.
Caroline knows that including us in her Will can make a significant impact.
“As a small contribution, my gift will make a difference in supporting all Australians who are diagnosed with lung disease
“Leaving a gift in my Will to Lung Foundation Australia feels like keeping the memory of my loved one, Bill, alive. It’s a gift to make sure that they can continue the work that has supported me and my family so well – from research to information and education, but most of all the support and advocacy it gives to individual with lung disease.”