From left: Parker (Molly's son), Ann, Bart, Abby (Molly's daughter), Greg (Molly's husband) and Molly
After she lost her beloved daughter, Molly, Ann Hyer immediately knew she wanted to honor her memory with a generous philanthropic gift. Together with her family, they decided to support the National MS Society — a cause that was near to the family, as Molly's brother Bart is living with MS.
Bart and Molly were always very close siblings. The family knew a gift to the Society in Molly's memory would have a double impact: remembering a beloved family member, while also honoring Bart and other people who are living with MS. When Bart learned what the family had decided, he and his wife Heather were deeply moved.
Ann remembers the day that Bart first told her that he'd been diagnosed with MS. She was overcome with emotion but determined to show strength for her son. She had a friend who was also living with MS, and stressed to her son that his diagnosis was not a death sentence. And now, several years later, Bart is doing well and continues to focus on the positive side of life. Ann is hopeful that the gift in memory of her daughter will help more people live their best lives.
The family decided that their contribution should be channeled to support and sustain the MS Navigator program. The Molly Donegan Wininger Memorial Endowment was established to support people with MS now and in the future.
"We knew we wanted to do something that could help as many people as possible," says Ann. "MS Navigator offered a multitude of ways to offer assistance. Whether people needed a wheelchair, medicine, insurance, or help paying a doctor bill, we knew that whatever good care meant to them, they would have help to achieve it."
Ann hopes that Molly's children will also be inspired by the gift in their mother's name, and that they make their own contributions to the Society in the future. Their gifts — no matter how small — will give them a chance to honor their mom, and support the care available to their uncle and many others across the country who are living MS. To Ann, this is a win-win situation.
If you'd like to learn more about what a lasting impact can look like, visit our website to learn more or contact giftplanning@nmss.org.