Legacy Society – Daniel Grannis
“If you have a spark to do something that’s bigger than yourself… say yes to that impulse. Say yes to life.”
Inspirations to give can come from unpredictable places. For Daniel Grannis, of Syracuse, it was literally a flash in the darkness.
“Several years ago, I was at a local theater watching commercials before the movie started, when I saw a promotion for the opening of the children’s hospital at Upstate,” said Daniel. “I didn’t have any association with Upstate at that point, but I do have a special place in my heart for kids. So, I picked up the phone and left a message with the Upstate Foundation that I would be happy to lick stamps or whatever was needed.”
Not long after, Daniel received a call from Eileen Pezzi, Upstate Medical University’s vice president for development, who asked if he would be willing to chair a speaker’s bureau in support of the capital campaign for the then-new Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
“We were trained by physicians and other Upstate staff to make the business case for the construction of the hospital to civic organizations and small businesses,” said Daniel. “It was all about efficiency, concentration of scattered pediatric services available at Upstate, and giving parents a way to stay close to or stay with their sick children overnight.”
Having advocated for the Children’s Hospital, Daniel’s commitment to Upstate grew.
“Given people I knew had experienced lung cancer – and given that Upstate Foundation’s legacy society was just being formed – I got on board and made a planned gift to an endowed professorship honoring Michael E. Connolly, a nonsmoker who lost his life to lung cancer.”
What does it feel like to make a legacy gift at Upstate?
“It feels like there is a sense of peace, and it feels humbling, because this is something that will be happening after I leave this world,” said Daniel. “If you have a spark to do something that’s bigger than yourself, this is a wonderful avenue for it. And I would recommend it for anybody. Say yes to that impulse. Say yes to life.”
He regularly attends the annual Upstate Legacy Society gathering, adding, “It’s a very uplifting experience to associate with this group of people who’ve given their careers to serving this community, and to hear about all of the great things that are going on at the hospital.”
For more information about ways to create your own personal Legacy, contact your financial advisor or call the Upstate Foundation, 315-464-4416.