The legacy you leave behind matters—let’s talk about it.

We all want to leave something meaningful behind, and what could be more powerful than shaping the future of health care in our community? A planned gift in your will—also known as a legacy gift—is a simple way to do just that.

At the MUHC Foundation, legacy giving is easy. You can leave a specific sum or a percentage of your estate, allowing you to make a greater impact than might be possible during your lifetime.

Talking about legacy giving can feel uncomfortable, often because it’s associated with death. But legacy giving isn’t about loss—it’s about lasting impact. Including a gift in your will is a simple, powerful way to support a cause close to your heart, without affecting your day-to-day finances. In fact, many people find that a gift in their will allows them to be more generous than they ever thought possible.

“At the MUHC Foundation, legacy gifts are funding vital research and patient care, benefiting generations of Quebecers. They are more than donations—they are lasting tributes that honour a person’s values, passions, and love for their community. We are deeply grateful that so many families choose to entrust us with their legacy. It’s a profound responsibility to help keep their memories alive through meaningful impact that endures for years to come,” says Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.

In honour of May being Leave a Legacy Month, we had the privilege of sitting down with France Mailloux, whose late husband John Klein received life-extending heart care at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Grateful for the exceptional care John received, they chose to leave a legacy gift to Dr. Nadia Giannetti—the heart surgeon who gave them more time together.

“What mattered most to me was keeping John’s memory alive. As someone who loved giving back to his community, leaving a legacy gift was a meaningful way to honour that, it is a lasting tribute to who he was when he was alive,” shares France.

John's first encounter with the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) was in 2007, after a major heart attack that required emergency triple bypass surgery. “John was 20 years older than me, and he had his first heart attack at 40. He was living in the U.S. at the time and was told he had only five years to live,” France recalls.

For John, the MUHC was a lifeline. Dr. Renzo Cecere performed his surgery, and despite John’s heart being severely damaged, the outcome was better than anyone expected. A few months later, they met with Dr. Nadia Giannetti and her heart failure and transplant team.

“We saw a booklet in Dr. Giannetti’s office titled ‘Living Well with Heart Failure,’ and we were shocked. We had assumed heart failure was a death sentence,” France shares. “But Dr. Giannetti and her team gave us hope, knowledge, and support. From that moment on, John lived well—with heart failure—for 16 more years.”

Despite John’s care journey being far from easy, he had a great quality of life. “This was in part due to who he was as a person, but also the remarkable care he received at the MUHC. He always used to say, ‘I’m alive!’—because he truly felt every day was a bonus,” remembers France.

The couple eventually realized they wanted to do something more, something lasting, and so they began exploring ways to give back to the hospital that had given them so much. Their first exposure to legacy giving came from a seminar hosted by the MUHC Foundation.

“It was just before John’s 70th birthday, and that conversation opened my eyes to the many ways we could give—specific gifts, share donations, and more. John especially loved donating shares. He always said it was a win-win, especially when the gift supported Dr. Giannetti, who meant so much to him,” shares France.

After John passed away in the fall of 2024, France knew she had to carry their shared mission forward. “It’s not just about John’s story—it’s about ours,” she reflects. “And now, it’s mine to carry forward. We were given the gift of time, quality care, and hope. Giving back is the least we could do.”

France finds comfort in knowing their gift is part of their will—and will live on through the lives it touches. “I want our impact to be long-lasting,” she says. “Look at the MUHC—so many new treatments and promising research trials are the result of these impactful gifts. In a way, legacy gifts are love letters to our community.”

Dr. Nadia Giannetti, who was at the centre of John’s care, is deeply grateful for the couple’s commitment to the MUHC. “You’ve been incredibly generous, and this kind of gift means so much to us,” she says. “With this support, we can do so much more. It’s not just about treating patients with medication—it’s about caring for the whole person. That extra layer of support, that’s where philanthropic gifts like yours make all the difference.”

France and John’s legacy is already making a difference—and will continue to do so for generations. To learn more about planned giving at the MUHC Foundation and how these gifts transform patient care, visit our website.