Woman Credits Lung Association for Saving Her Life

Making a Difference: Planned Giving Profile, Breathe Easy news magazine, Fall 2002/Winter 2003

When Gladys B. Legendre moved to California nearly 19 years ago, she was in a wheelchair and required continuous oxygen. Today the 87-year-old walks on her own and uses oxygen only at night. She credits the incredible improvement in her health to the Ameri can Lung Association and her faith.

"I know I did it myself. I realize that," Legendre says. "But it was the American Lung Association that got me going."

She and her companion, Marge Patch, were so grateful for Legendre’s turnaround, they decided to give back to the American Lung Association by investing in gift annuities that benefit the association.

In 1984, Legendre had become so debilitated by her pulmonary fibrosis that doctors told her to move out of her hot, humid hometown of New Orleans. So she and Patch headed west to Oceanside, where they bought a house.

Once she was settled in her new home, Legendre contacted the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties. She attended the association’s four-week Breathe Easier breathing improvement course and joined the Better Breathers Club, an educational support group for people with lung disease. And that’s when her life turned around, she says.

"The American Lung Association just does so much for people like me," she says. "Marge and I wanted to do something for them."