Making a will and naming the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York was an important decision for Barbara Quackenbush, a current member of the Purple Legacy Society. This is her story:

I have experienced epilepsy and the challenges it presents firsthand.  I had my first seizure when I was 38 years old, but wasn’t diagnosed with epilepsy until over a decade later.  I continued to have seizures for many years as my doctor tried different medications.  Finally, after 12 long years and a change in doctors, I was put on a medication that controlled my seizures. 

I went on to become a middle school principal and then a school superintendent; however, I still faced many challenges, including times I was unable to have a driver’s license due to my seizures – this was difficult, especially having children who needed to get around. 

Based on my experience, I wanted to give back to help raise awareness and joined the Board of Directors at the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York, and served for ten years.  My position on the board introduced me to others suffering from epilepsy and showed me how the Epilepsy Foundation helps those with the challenges they face. When the Purple Legacy Society became available, I knew it was another way I could give back and help sustain the much-needed programs and services offered by the Foundation and I decided to include the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York in my estate plans.

To learn more about the Purple Legacy Society, please contact Susan Kaczynski at skaczynski@epilepsyneny.org or calling (518) 456-7501.  Planned Giving is an after-lifetime gift. Even those of us of modest means will have some kind of an estate, a house, a retirement plan, life insurance, etc. Planned Giving allows us to give more generously than we could during our lifetime.