Breast cancer survivor creates a meaningful gift through a Charitable Remainder Trust

Dorothea Feffer is a real estate expert—she not only makes a living buying, selling, and renovating properties, she also considers it a personal passion. So when it came to battling breast cancer, Feffer looked for the experts—and found them at Dana-Farber.

"It's a special institution," Feffer says. "Everyone makes you feel so well taken care of."

Grateful for the care she received, Feffer wanted to give back to the Institute and found the perfect way to do so: real estate. She transferred a property she owned to a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), which generates regular, annual income for her for the duration of her life, and will ultimately support breast cancer research at Dana-Farber.

Feffer also avoided capital gains tax on the real estate transferred and received an income tax deduction. In addition to these significant financial benefits, Feffer fulfilled a new personal passion: philanthropy.

"There is nothing greater than the satisfaction of giving," Feffer says. "I didn't realize how wonderful it could make me feel."

Feffer's gift is a win-win. Dana-Farber offers a number of ways to give and CRTs make good financial sense for many people. For steadfast supporters like Feffer, CRTs also offer the opportunity to lay a solid foundation for Dana-Farber's continuing breakthroughs in science and its signature total patient care, moving us closer to a future without cancer.