Life-saving cancer care at Baptist Health Lexington inspires lasting gift

Inspired by the care that changed their lives, Duke and Barb Thompson chose to leave a planned gift to Baptist Health, building a legacy that will help others find hope and healing for years to come.

That care started with Barb’s coworkers at Baptist Health Lexington.

After retiring from the VA Medical Center, in a role focused on outpatient oncology, Barb took on a part-time position in radiation oncology at Baptist Health. The commitment that started as just a few days a week soon grew into much more, with Barb, affectionately dubbed “Sarge” by her colleagues, becoming a frequent presence in the department, her expertise and passion for patient care inspiring those around her.

An already deep appreciation for healthcare only strengthened when her husband, Duke, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. During follow-up care from his initial procedure, the Thompsons were notified that Duke would need salvage radiation therapy (SRT) – a key treatment for prostate cancer patients after surgery.

Barb introduced her husband to Alan Beckman, MD, a radiation oncologist at Baptist Health Lexington.

“Within 20 seconds of meeting Alan, I knew where I would be receiving my care,” Duke shared. “Not only did I receive exceptional treatment, but I looked forward to each visit. I spent nearly 8 weeks with the team, and what Barb had always told me was true – the care wasn’t just excellent, it was life-changing, it was lifesaving.”

Inspired by Duke’s experience and Barb’s renewed sense of purpose, the Thompsons made a heartfelt decision to give back to the institution that had touched their lives so deeply.

“We had already planned to make a legacy gift to another organization, but after everything that happened with Duke’s care, we knew we had to make a change,” Barb explained. “We wanted to express our gratitude, not just with words, but with a gift that would continue to help others in the future.”

Conversations with the Baptist Health Foundation helped Barb and Duke take the right steps to update their estate documents to reflect their new intentions.

For Duke, a semi-retired finance professor, the decision was also about flexibility.

“I like knowing that our plans are thorough and clear, but also adaptable,” he shared. “We want to make sure that when we’re gone, our gift is used in the most effective way to help others. Through this partnership with Baptist Health, we’re confident our legacy will have the greatest possible impact.”

With their planned gift to Baptist Health, the Thompsons are ensuring that others will benefit from the same expert care that made a difference in Duke’s life – through the very institution that empowered Barb to continue her calling to care for others.