This Is Exactly What We Needed

Tristyn

Tristyn was 2 when she received a heart transplant

The Prosser Family stayed at RMHC Charleston in 2017 when their daughter, Tristyn, had a heart transplant at MUSC. Here is their story:

Our daughter, Tristyn, became sick a week before her 2nd birthday in July 2017. We ended up having to take her to our local hospital with what we thought was just dehydration from a virus. We figured she would get some fluids and we would be able to go home, but that was not the case. After several tests, we found out our daughter had dilated cardiomyopathy and was in heart failure. We had to be airlifted to MUSC in Charleston where we found out that she would need a heart transplant to survive.

She was able to come home on an IV pump with medication to help her heart pump while we waited for the call for her new heart. On Dec. 23, 2017, at 3:23 a.m., we received the call that they had a heart for Tristyn. We got ready and drove two hours to Charleston. She went into surgery around 11 a.m. and came out around 8 p.m. When we finally got to see her, the first thing we noticed was that she finally had color to her skin, and you could see her pulse in her neck. Her new heart was beating strong. She stayed in the hospital for a week after her transplant but needed to be close to Charleston for a few months afterwards. The social worker for the transplant team got us in touch with the Ronald McDonald House, where we would spend the next two months.

We are so thankful that we were able to stay here. We also have two other daughters—Tristyn’s twin sister and her oldest sister who was 6 at the time. They were able to stay with us at the Ronald McDonald House during this time. RMHC Charleston became our “Home-away-from-home.” We had a spacious room that allowed us all to be together. The House provided us with meals and snacks during this time, which helped tremendously since I was out of work, and we did not have a lot of money coming in. The girls were able to play in the playroom and on the playground. They had so much fun being together. For the first time in months, Tristyn was able to run around with her sisters without being attached to an IV line. It even snowed while we were staying there!! I think the girls' favorite part about staying there was being able to play with Gardy, the House dog! Five years later, they still talk about our experience at the Ronald McDonald House. It had such an enormous impact on our family! I am so thankful that we were able to stay here so that we could all be together while Tristyn was recovering after her heart transplant. The staff and volunteers definitely made it feel like home, which is exactly what we needed!!

A gift in your estate plan ensures Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston can continue to keep families together and near the care they need. Contact Alix Tew at 843-723-7957 Ext. 303 or alix@rmhcharleston.org to learn how your generosity can make an impact.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to RMHC Charleston or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to RMHC Charleston as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to RMHC Charleston as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and RMHC Charleston where you agree to make a gift to RMHC Charleston and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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