A child’s diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is devastating for parents – even when that child is a grown adult. Jeanine Forman-Ham can attest to that. Her son, David Hayes, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1994 at age 30.
She knew she wanted to help him and decided the best way to do that was to get involved in finding a cure for David and millions more.
Having learned of the Diabetes Research Institute from David, she contacted Dr. Daniel H. Mintz, the Institute’s founder and scientific director at the time. From him, she learned more about diabetes than any other source. After learning about the DRI’s groundbreaking research, Jeanine felt strongly about investing in the DRI’s mission to cure diabetes.
“I was less sophisticated and more emotional back then, but I was inspired by the dedication of the scientists and the progress that had already been made at the DRI,” she said.
Based on advice from her stock broker, Jeanine began to contribute appreciated stock. “By donating appreciated stock that I have owned for more than one year, I don’t have to pay capital gains tax and the full amount goes to the DRI Foundation,” she stated. This has benefited Jeanine, as she receives a tax receipt for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift, and she is able to avoid paying the long term capital gains tax that she would otherwise owe if she sold the stock and used the funds for another purpose.
During her career, Jeanine spent many years in New York and Massachusetts, working with speech and hearing impaired students. She also served on the DRI Foundation’s board from 1998 through 2010.
“I was impressed with the people serving along with me. Barbara Singer, one of the DRIF’s founders, became a dependable friend, as is Gary Kleiman, Senior Director of Medical Development, who has always helped me interpret technical research reports,” explained Jeanine.
Today, Jeanine resides in Boulder, CO, and is enjoying the pleasures of retirement. She lives in an active community, where she loves to take long walks and relishes in the camaraderie of dear friends. She continues to express her creativity through writing essays, and always keeps abreast of the promising work being conducted at the DRI.
“I feel like I am part of the DRI family, and we all share a common goal. If I don’t live to see a cure, I want to continue to contribute after I’m gone.” Considering her long range plans, Jeanine included a gift to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation in her trust. Working closely with her attorney, Jeanine developed a plan to provide for her family and to the causes that are important to her.
The DRI and Foundation are deeply grateful for Jeanine’s longstanding commitment to our mission. In appreciation of her plans to provide for the DRI beyond her lifetime, Jeanine has been recognized as a member of the DRI Heritage Society, and a plaque with her and her late husband’s name was added to a wall of honor at the Diabetes Research Institute.