Clare and Shirley Moster’s goal is to see Alzheimer’s disease done away with for good.
Curing Alzheimer’s disease is a big ask, admits Clare, but he and Shirley have faith in the medical research being done at St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre.
That’s why they decided to establish an endowment fund in 2015 in support of Alzheimer’s research at St. B. They also updated their wills at the same time to make the Hospital a major beneficiary.
“It’s a good feeling. One of these days we will be gone, and somebody will get a good benefit from it. Why not do it now?” asks Clare, a retired civil engineer in the petroleum business.
“I would still encourage people to leave something for their families, sure, but they should also fund some appropriate charities that they think are worthy causes,” he added.
“Any amount you leave will be helpful,” said Shirley, a retired elementary school teacher.
Endowment fund, visits ways to stay engaged
“A young lady that I taught with developed early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in her 50s,” said Shirley. “It’s such a scary disease, and we’ve known other people who are suffering; the spouses having to cope.”
Clare echoed his wife’s sentiment: “Someone I went to school with developed Alzheimer’s disease, quite badly. It makes you realize how hard it is on the people who have to provide care, especially when the person might not even know you anymore.”
“It’s a disease we would like to see eradicated. Ideally, we would like to see Alzheimer’s disease cured,” said Clare.
Their endowment fund keeps Clare and Shirley engaged in their charitable giving with its annual payout. “We have a good understanding of what uses it’s being put towards, and their benefits,” said Shirley. “We’ve learned more by going to the Foundation’s annual Donor Celebration, and taking a tour of the St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre. We’ve learned about what’s going on now at the Hospital. We understand how our money will be used.”’