Throughout her experience at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Trudi Epstein forged deep connections with the caregivers who helped her navigate not just one, but two cancer diagnoses.

“The emotional support and optimism of the staff, doctors, nurses, and technicians on Trudi’s cancer care team was unmatched,” her husband, Neil, recalls. “They helped get her through a difficult time—and gave us an additional 18 joyful years together. Those years were priceless.”

Sadly, Trudi passed away from an unrelated illness in 2024. But through her and Neil’s generosity, their legacy at the Brigham—and support for the work that’s important to them—will endure for many years to come.

A legacy inspired by gratitude

After Trudi was successfully treated for breast cancer and uterine cancer several years ago, she and Neil established a charitable gift annuity (CGA) in 2018 to express their gratitude for the care Trudi received.

Their CGA provided both of them with a fixed income stream for life and a charitable income tax deduction. Following Trudi’s passing, Neil continues to receive the same income payments during his lifetime. Ultimately, the couple’s gift will fund gynecologic oncology research at the Brigham. With this generous gift, the Epsteins were also welcomed into The Brigham Legacy Society, which celebrates individuals dedicated to supporting the future of medicine.

In honor of exceptional care

In 2021, the Epsteins decided to make another significant commitment to the Brigham after they learned that Larissa Lee, MD, a radiation oncologist and trusted member of Trudi’s care team, had passed away. Both Trudi and Neil had formed a close bond with Lee, and the loss was heart-wrenching for them both.

“When I heard Dr. Lee had passed, it was like losing a family member or friend,” Trudi reflected at the time. “She was very gentle, beautiful, and she was there for me the whole time, holding my hand and doing amazing research.”

In honor of Lee and her work, the Epsteins took their philanthropy a step further by including the Brigham in their estate plans. Their legacy gift will support transformative research and technological breakthroughs in cancer care, honoring both Trudi’s memory and the exceptional care she received.

“We believe philanthropy is critical to supporting the Brigham,” Neil says. “This support helps in continuing research, attracting and keeping the best doctors, and providing extraordinary patient care.”