June Heyer

For June Heyer, a retired safety representative and a lifelong resident of Berwyn, IL, a diagnosis of bone cancer in her leg could have grounded her permanently. Based on the reputation of Steven Gitelis, MD, and Rush's orthopedic oncology program, Heyer received cancer care and a surgical implant at Rush, successfully treating her cancer and saving her leg.

When the time came for Heyer to reevaluate her estate plans and her charitable giving, she chose to make a bequest to Rush in support of her physician's work. Her gift will create the June L. Heyer Endowment for the Research of Dr. Steven Gitelis in Orthopedic Oncology.

Gitelis, director of the Section of Orthopedic Oncology and vice chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush, is nationally known for his research with prosthetics for children with bone cancer. He has created a leg implant for children that can be lengthened electronically as children grow, minimizing the number of invasive follow-up procedures and preserving children's limbs. Heyer's bequest to create this endowed research fund will bolster the lifesaving work of a physician who matters to her while improving cancer care for children.

"The care I received from Dr. Gitelis and the orthopedic oncology team at Rush saved my life and my leg," Heyer said. "My decision to make a bequest toward Dr. Gitelis' research, including work that has great potential to benefit children with bone cancer, was the ideal way for me to support the work of a caregiver I believe in and a cause that's very close to me."

Bequests like Heyer's are important assets as the Medical Center plans for its future. Planned gifts of all sizes and designations enable Rush to fulfill its mission of providing the highest quality patient care, research, education and community outreach. In the changing field of health care, deferred gifts help secure Rush's future by ensuring that valuable resources will be there when Rush's caregivers need them most.

You can honor your physician and become a partner in the work of Midwest Orthopaedics through a charitable gift to Rush. To discuss an option that would be meaningful to you, please contact Mari Philipsborn in the Office of Philanthropy at (312) 942-6567 or Mari_Philipsborn@rush.edu.