Leaving a Legacy of Care

Jim Purcell’s lasting gift is helping shape the future of care at Southlake Health.

For many families, support for Southlake Health begins with a moment of need, but for some, it becomes something enduring: a legacy that will care for others for generations to come.

Jim Purcell was one of those individuals.

A long-time Newmarket resident, Jim and his family relied on Southlake throughout their lives — from urgent injuries to cancer care and compassionate end-of-life support. When his wife faced cancer, and later throughout his own health challenges, including prostate and lung cancer, Southlake was a constant source of expert care and comfort, close to home.

For Jim, that experience left a lasting impression.

He believed deeply in the importance of having exceptional care available within the community, and he showed that belief through years of giving. Ultimately, he chose to extend that commitment even further by including a gift to Southlake in his Will, ensuring that the care he valued would be there for others long into the future.

“His physicians were always willing to do their best for him,” his daughter Heather shared. “He trusted his doctors and nurses right until the end.”

Jim’s decision reflects the profound connection many patients and families feel toward their hospital: a recognition that behind every moment of care are the people, programs, and equipment made possible through philanthropy.

Legacy gifts — also known as planned gifts — are a powerful way to strengthen that impact. By including a charitable gift in a Will, donors can support the advancement of healthcare without affecting their financial plans today. These gifts help fund critical priorities at Southlake, from innovative technology and modern facilities to enhanced patient care equipment.

Just as importantly, they ensure that leading edge care remains close to home for the next generation.

For Heather, her father’s decision was a natural extension of who he was — a generous person who cared deeply for his family and community. His legacy is now part of something larger: a collective commitment from donors who are shaping the future of care for other patients and families.

We are profoundly grateful to Jim and to all those who have chosen to remember Southlake in their estate plans. Their foresight and generosity are helping to build a stronger, more resilient Southlake — one that will continue to be there when it matters most.

Because of legacy gifts, patients and families will continue to find comfort, hope, and exceptional care at Southlake Health for years to come.