Major Gifts and Planned Giving: It's For You!

Leaving your own legacy. I would like to provide you with a snap shot of how people are assisting the MS Society “To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life”.

The MS Society of Canada is the only national voluntary organization in Canada that supports both research and services and is a recognized global leader in this work. Donors may direct their support to either area or can consider a general donation. Regardless of the designation it all helps the cause and furthers our advancements.

Multiple sclerosis is the most common disease of the central nervous system affecting young adults in Canada. An estimated 50,000 Canadians live with MS and every day, three more are diagnosed with this devastating disease. It has been described as the biological equivalent of “friendly fire” – a disease in which a person’s immune system turns against the very body it is supposed to protect.

MS most often strikes young adults – women twice as often as men – between the ages of 15 to 40 who are in their prime career and family-building years. However, children as young as age three have been diagnosed with this disease.

In Canada, the estimated total annual cost of MS to the economy is $1 billion – higher than the cost of all infectious diseases in Canada, despite their much higher incidence. Individually, the lifetime economic burden is estimated at $1.6 million per person.

More than 50 years of progress is due to the commitment of donors and volunteers. We are proud to work closely with community and corporate friends to raise the funds we require to continue providing help and hope for those living with MS. As the single largest funders per capita of MS research in the world, Canadian donors are creating hope for today and are leading the way to an MS-free tomorrow.

Major and Planned Gifts -- What Are They?

Major Gifts: 

	are immediate gifts
	are gifts over $1,000 or as determined
	can be in the form of cash, or securities, property, trusts, or gifts-in-kind
	can be either undesignated or designated to research or services.

Planned Giving is a gift arranged for now that will provide funds for the MS Society in the future

	involves some type of legal documentation such as your will, a life insurance policy, or an annuity agreement
	allows you to make a larger than usual gift, and substantially reduce your income tax
	provides many vehicles through which you can donate to the MS Society.

For example:

	Cash
	Securities (stocks, bonds, treasury bills)
	Property
	Bequests
	Life insurance
	Charitable annuities
	Charitable remainder trusts
	Residual interest

I would like to personally invite you to call me to discuss any questions or assist you in any opportunities you may be interested in pursuing.

You can reach me at (403) 250-7090 or by e mail at john.petryshen@mssociety.ca .

George Jacob

Director, Major Gifts and Planned Giving

george.jacob@mssociety.ca