Gifting the future

Dan and Marylee Cross’s journey of giving was directed by the wise words of a 5-year-old child. Marylee recalls the story with a warm chuckle, “I still remember how my daughter initiated everything. She was sitting in front of the TV and saw a picture of a malnourished baby, from a country in need of financial aid. She said, ‘Mommy, we need to help that child. We need to give something.’”

More than 3 decades later, the Crosses have spent their lives uplifting others – from gifting children in developing countries with education to serving in their church. Marylee worked in palliative care for over a decade, and Dan sells real estate with the Advantage Royal Group in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Most recently, Dan and Marylee have generously committed to a planned gift to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). When asked why they did this, Marylee shares about her beloved mother and says, “As I think of cancer, I always go back to my mother, who died from bowel cancer in 1970. I was only 18.” Marylee pauses and sighs. “My mother was a strong woman, but she was in severe pain. Doctors didn’t know what they know now about cancer treatments. Pain medication then was often held back because of its addictive nature. Mom suffered a lot, but she was so very strong.”

Memories of her mother were at the forefront of Marylee’s mind when she recently underwent breast cancer treatment. She says, “I had everything I needed: medication, food, radiation therapy. I kept thinking about my mother. She was a good Christian woman who walked the walk. If only she had a tenth or even a hundredth of what I had for my treatment … that’s why we felt it was so important to support CCS.”

Dan continues to share how anyone and everyone can make a difference. “If 1 person gave CCS $20 and everyone did it, think what we could do as a community! We don’t want people to fall through the cracks and not get the treatment they need.”

Marylee gently adds, “If you can help, why hesitate?”