"For selfish reasons." It is hard to imagine that as the motivation of C. M. Gailey in establishing a gift annuity with the American Kidney Fund. Admittedly, the higher payout on gift annuities makes a difference in his quality of life-especially in the current economy and the further he gets from retirement.
The gift annuity allows for him to "take care of the American Kidney Fund now." He then plans to use his estate upon his death to support research on polycystic kidney disease (PKD). His mother-in-law and wife, Ida Mae, both died from PKD and his daughter had PKD until a successful transplant 7 years ago. His plans allow for him to help two kidney groups important to him.
Mr. Gailey is not a wealthy man. Nor is he destitute. He was raised in Atlanta. His father was a professor of architecture at Georgia Tech. Mr. Gailey was the one "good offspring who also went into architecture." He would eventually succeed his father as a professor at Georgia Tech. He also had his own architectural practice with his office in his home.
The flexibility of being a professor and working from home allowed him to be a "partner in providing his wife's dialysis at home." That dialysis continued for almost 20 years. 1972 was a time when his wife's case had to be considered by a committee. She was deemed to be a "good candidate."
Grady Hospital in Atlanta provided the training and wherewithal for the dialysis to be administered at home. 10 years into this experience, however, Ida Mae experienced a stroke and the balance of her dialysis was done at a clinic at Piedmont Hospital.
Mr. Gailey thanks God for giving him the strength and energy to deal with his wife's care and more importantly allowing him all of the years he had with her. The two of them had fallen in love rather quickly. They met through the advisor of the young adults group at First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. He met Ida Mae when her secretarial services were offered by the advisor for a letter the group wanted to send to the organizing committee of the United Nations. The letter and a lunch provided the start.
Even after Ida Mae's death, Mr. Gailey wasn't finished dealing with PKD. His daughter also developed the same disease. Fortunately, 8 years ago she had a perfect transplant match.
Mr. Gailey, now 88, has no problem staying busy. Most of the time he is a volunteer at Peachtree Presbyterian church. After his wife's death and his retirement he started singing in the choir again. He was a leader in the Stephen Ministry program which engages in various service ministries in the church. Peachtree is a large congregation and has its own print shop. He volunteers to help whenever they need. He also participates in the luncheon group of 75-80 men on Tuesday, a bible class on Friday and a bell ringers group on Thursday.
Given his support of his wife and daughter and his significant service at the church, it is hard to imagine that he took out the gift annuity "for selfish reasons." His words, not anyone else's.