Every Gift Tells a Story

As far back as Donna Bernstein can remember, the ethos of giving back has been as much a part of her as her name or the color of her eyes. She comes from strong Jewish roots, and her parents instilled in her and her sister and three brothers the Jewish principle that everyone has a responsibility to help others through charity and service.

After more than half a century and millions of dollars raised to support student scholarships in the Duke University School of Medicine and School of Nursing, the Nearly New Shoppe thrift store ceased operations at the end of August 2020.

In late July, while on their 2020 summer break, Duke Club Cycling riders launched a 12-hour bike marathon to support Duke Health’s COVID-19 Response Funds and local cycling organizations that advocate for cycling as an alternative and safer form of transportation.

In 1983, Duke University alumnus Ross Harris, had just lost her younger brother, Carlton Harris Jr., to leukemia. He was only 25.

A scholarship enabled Tai-Po Tschang, MD’72, to attend Duke University School of Medicine. His generosity will give other students the same opportunity.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, people all over the country are coming together to help those who help us – nurses and health-care workers on the front lines.

Mary and Doug Taylor dusted off old photo albums, flipping through photos from their wedding 52 years ago. Susan Nadel showed off crocheted animals she made herself, each one representing a beloved pet that she and her husband Doug owned over the years. Together, Cathy Parrish Jones and her mother, Hattie, created a time capsule and virtual timeline of Hattie’s life.

As a global logistics provider of equipment for major concerts, sporting events, television, and the film industry, Stephen O’Connell knows how to move things fast.

Kim Spancake and her husband, Drew Snider, understand the crucial importance of health care workers. When their 13-year-old daughter, Addie, was born, she was eight weeks early and only weighed two pounds, seven ounces. Addie spent six weeks at the Duke Regional Special Care Nursery (SCN), growing stronger and healthier under the care of the team there.

Steve and Lisa Eisenstein, P’19, P’22, are no strangers to supporting good causes—and not just by opening their wallets. They are active in various philanthropic organizations, including one that helps people rebuild homes after hurricanes and other natural disasters.