A Legacy of Love

When Terrence and Diane’s daughter Elizabeth first visited Children’s Mercy Kansas City at 6 months of age in 2000, they had no idea their lives would be changed forever. They brought Elizabeth in for an MRI because she had missed some developmental milestones. It would be a decade before she was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, though even that was not the full picture.  

Elizabeth experienced significant medical challenges and developmental delays. She was seen by almost every department or clinic at Children’s Mercy, from Neurology to Pulmonology and more. 

Throughout their time as a patient family at Children’s Mercy, Terrence and Diane made friends and connections with volunteers, clinical staff, and administrative staff, and both became involved beyond being the parents of a patient. Elizabeth passed away in June of 2019 at nineteen years old. 

“We both felt very strongly that we were in a position to honor her and practice stewardship from a time, talent and treasure perspective,” Diane said.

Introducing more people to the mission who maybe don’t have exposure as a parent is extremely important. We are trying to create a world of wellbeing for all kids, and that vision needs broad support.

Time and talent

Terrence, an architect by career, became a regular and dedicated volunteer, and joined the Family Advisory Board to connect with and support other families like his own. He also volunteers on many hospital committees and serves as a patient information volunteer, greeting patients and caregivers at the Moon Desk. 

“I have always viewed myself as a problem solver, not a complainer, and I think that’s where being on the Family Advisory Board gave me a lot of strength,” he said. 

Terrence views his volunteer work as a way to stay connected to the hospital, and to help other families who are experiencing frustration, nerves, or uncertainty about their child’s experience as a patient.

Diane, a self-described “connector,” also became involved with Children’s Mercy, volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House and joining the board that helps the Philanthropy team plan, fundraise for and execute Red Hot Night and, most recently, serving as Chair of the hospital board. She believes it is critically important to share the mission of Children’s Mercy with a broader community. She enjoys having conversations with friends and acquaintances about her experience as a parent and volunteer at the hospital. 

“Introducing more people to the mission who maybe don’t have exposure as a parent is extremely important,” Diane said. “We are trying to create a world of wellbeing for all kids, and that vision needs broad support.” 

Both Terrence and Diane wanted to lend not only their time, but also their expertise and experience, as professionals and as parents of a child with special needs and a chronic condition. 

“We were blessed with the talents of the individuals at Children’s Mercy,” Terrence said. “The staff and the volunteers that were there at the time allowed us to have a longer life with Elizabeth. It’s my way and our way of giving back to say ‘thank you,’ and hopefully help so another person doesn’t have to experience this.”

A family affair

When the Gallaghers began to gather documents and plan for their will and estate, they knew it needed to be a family conversation, not just one they had as a couple. Their daughters Jillian and Mary Katherine — Elizabeth’s sisters — also needed to be involved. 

The family had made financial gifts to the hospital before, and knew they wanted to include Children’s Mercy in their estate. When Terrence and Diane had the conversation with Jillian and Mary Kate, their reaction was one of excitement and generosity. 

“Our girls’ reaction was ‘can we do that, too?’ or ‘can we add to it?’” Diane said. “They looked at it as a family thing. I was so proud of that reaction.” 

The Gallaghers credit their daughters’ generous spirit to not only watching their parents volunteer and give back, but to their own experiences as siblings of a child with special needs. 

“They experienced a lot of it through Elizabeth,” Terrence said. “They didn’t get the medical care from Children’s Mercy, but they got a lot of other experiences there and, from time to time, mental and emotional support from Children’s Mercy. It’s not just about the child, it’s about the family. So, they’ve seen this, they know it and now they want to make it better for others going through this.” 

The Gallagher family decided that an estate gift made sense for their family, and it feels like an extension of the work they are already doing in support of the hospital and the Children’s Mercy Research Institute. 

“When you are looking at a planned gift for an organization like Children’s Mercy that you have already been supporting, it’s like formalizing something that is already in your practice of giving,” Diane said. “And from the institution’s perspective, you know that this is really helping the organization have a better picture of what to anticipate in the future.”

Love lives on

Their earlier decision to make a legacy gift took on even more meaning when Elizabeth passed away. The family decided to pay tribute to Elizabeth by expanding their original gift to an endowment at Children’s Mercy.  

“This was the most impactful way to honor Elizabeth’s memory and to thank the team that cared and fought for her throughout her life,” said Diane. “There are generations of families who will benefit from the difference she made.”  

The Gallagher’s spirit of giving of their time, talent and treasure is something that they have always valued, and for them, Elizabeth’s story is the catalyst that connects their generosity to Children’s Mercy. 

“I am making a commitment to the long-term help and love and care of others,” Terrence said. “I know my love for Children’s Mercy will continue long after I am done physically being part of it.” 

To learn more about including Children’s Mercy in your will and estate, contact the Philanthropy Gift Planning team at giftplanning@cmh.edu.