Forever friends: a lasting gift

⚠ Case Study for Mem ⚠

When Mary Leahy Farnan learned that her best friend, Janet Craig, had ovarian cancer, she couldn’t stop crying. Janet immediately turned to MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she participated in several clinical trials — and lived another 3½ years.

During her cancer journey, Janet established the Janet Craig Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research. Mary and her husband, Jim, have donated to it ever since. They have even included the fund in their estate plan.

“For Janet to set up this fund for research shows you what type of person she was. It’s something to keep her memory alive, and hopefully other people won’t have to suffer,” Mary says.

Many donors find it personally rewarding to designate gifts for a specific area of research and/or in memory of a loved one.

“MD Anderson is the best place in the country for research and care for cancer, and I encourage people to donate to them so they can continue their excellent work,” Mary says.