Legacy Is More Than What We Leave Behind
Published Monday, May 4, 2026
May is Leave a Legacy Month—a time to reflect on the impact we can make for future generations
When we're asked about the legacy we hope to leave behind, many of us instinctively think of money or material possessions. It's a natural response because we often define our impact by the assets we've built or the inheritance we will pass on to our children and grandchildren. But in truth, legacy is about so much more than what we leave behind.
After 15 years in fundraising, I've never felt more inspired by this work than I do today. For much of my career, efforts were driven by shifting trends—sending the next appeal letter, chasing year-end goals and searching for that elusive “golden egg.” But over time, something meaningful has taken shape.
Today's donor wants to do more than give—they want to create real change. They want to solve problems, strengthen their communities, and make a lasting difference. They want their generosity to mean something—to touch lives.
Think back to a time when you, or someone you love, needed care. Maybe it was a doctor offering reassurance in a moment of fear, or a nurse whose kindness brought comfort when it mattered most. Behind every one of those moments is someone who made a quiet, deliberate choice to invest in the future of healthcare—someone who understood that better outcomes don't happen by chance, but through intention and generosity.
True legacy often grows in these unseen, heartfelt acts—giving specialists the tools to care more effectively, ensuring patients receive the attention they deserve, and sustaining hope for those facing life's toughest challenges. A Gift in your Will to the Health Sciences Foundation is more than a donation—it's a promise that care, compassion, and possibility will continue to touch lives for generations to come.
A hundred years from now, will it matter what kind of house we lived in, the car we drove, or the title we held? Or will it be the values we lived by, the kindness we shared, and the lives we touched that truly stand the test of time?
Life has a way of reminding us how precious and fleeting it is. So take time to savor the beauty around you and cherish moments with family and friends. Let the people and causes closest to your heart know how deeply they matter. In the end, legacy isn't measured by what we leave behind—it's defined by what we make possible.
To start the legacy conversation or to learn more about including the Health Sciences Foundation in your Will, please contact me:
Lee-Anne Camlin
Manager, Legacy Giving
T: (807) 684-7110
E: lee-anne.camlin@healthsciencesfoundation.ca