Soozin White has made a lasting difference in blindness research at Harvard Medical School through the Soozin White Research Fund. Her original $200,000 commitment, established with two deferred charitable gift annuities (DCGAs), was recently amplified by a $2.2 million bequest from her estate. Together, these gifts fuel innovative neurobiology and stem cell research focused on restoring vision.
Diagnosed with aggressive glaucoma in 2002, White endured years of medical intervention with limited relief. Rather than surrender to the inevitability of vision loss, she transformed this personal challenge into a mission to eliminate blindness for others. Supporting research into regenerating the optic nerve and understanding the complexities of glaucoma became her passion. Her advocacy was both intimate and urgent; her experience with vision impairment cultivated deep empathy and a determination to advance scientific solutions.
White’s financial expertise, honed over years on Wall Street, allowed her to develop a high-impact philanthropic strategy. By utilizing instruments such as DCGAs, she not only gained tax advantages but also amplified the impact of her contributions, making her a model of thoughtful and strategic generosity.
DCGAs enable you to make a gift now to HMS, receive a charitable deduction to reduce current income taxes, and have an additional source of fixed income when you choose to begin payments. The longer you defer the start of payments, the higher your annual income and the larger your deduction and gift to HMS will be.
The breadth and depth of research here is incomparable.
Soozin White
White chose to direct her support to HMS because of its unparalleled research capacity and collaborative environment. “The breadth and depth of research here is incomparable,” she once remarked. She believed that by leveraging Harvard’s strengths, her investment could accelerate discoveries and connect a global community of scientists.
Beyond its financial impact, White’s philanthropy embodies her fundamental belief that science—through shared inquiry and collaboration—can transform the future. Her contributions illuminate a path for future researchers and convey a powerful message about the role individuals can play in advancing medical breakthroughs.
Although White passed away in late 2022, her generosity endures as a catalyst for discovery at HMS, and her vision of a world without blindness continues to inspire progress and hope.
By naming HMS as a beneficiary of your will or trust, you can help fuel future breakthroughs. Visit hms.harvard.edu/bequest to learn more. |
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