Legacy Gift Provides Healing Power of Music for Lung Patients

Anyone can make a difference, simply by planning ahead. Richard and Joseph’s generous gift is changing lives for transplant and chronic lung disease patients.

For patients at Toronto’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Clinic within University Health Network (UHN), singing has been life-changing. Singing to Breathe is a music therapy group that launched in 2016 through a collaborative effort between patients and UHN staff. The group is funded almost entirely through the support of Joseph Mulder in memory of his partner Richard Malo, a beloved patient at the Clinic who passed away from lung disease in 2015.

Every other week at UHN’s Toronto Western Hospital (TWH), patients living with chronic lung disease or pre- and post-lung transplant are led in song for two hours, and the results have been extraordinary. Participants report a number of health and social benefits including: improved mood and energy, new friendships, feeling more relaxed, an ability to hold notes longer and greater ease of breathing.

“The atmosphere is wonderful and the therapists bring so much positive energy to the rooms, which gives everyone a physical and mental lift,” says Naomi, a participant in the group. “It’s incredible that someone like me, who normally requires an oxygen tank, can just get up and sing.”

To honour Richard, the group raises awareness for lung disease by holding public performances twice a year: a spring concert and a holiday show. They perform under the name The Malo Tones, and wear sky-blue scarves for their performances. The scarves are a nod to Richard and also a nod to blue-sky days and good air quality that are so important for people suffering from lung disease.

Generosity transforms patient care

Joseph’s annual contribution along with tribute gifts made by their family and friends support the program each year. With a generous legacy gift to UHN Foundation, Joseph has pledged to establish the Richard Malo Internship in Music Therapy at TWH – allowing for ongoing success and growth of the program in perpetuity. This legacy gift will enable countless patients to experience the proven benefits of music therapy.

Joseph is delighted to be able to keep Richard’s memory alive by funding a program that really helps people. “Leaving money is part of the process of saying goodbye,” says Joseph. “By donating I can say the memory of Richard will continue, and that makes me feel better.”

A small thing you do now could be the start of something big

As Canada’s number-one research hospital and home to the number-four hospital in the world (ranked by Newsweek magazine), UHN has a rich history of discovery that has saved – and continues to save – countless lives across Canada and around the world. Donor support is absolutely critical to this work, and philanthropy is responsible for funding some of the most transformational research and discoveries in health care today.

Legacy gifts of all sizes help ensure a safety net of funding for UHN’s future needs – from purchasing the latest state-of-the-art equipment to funding much-needed programs that will improve the lives of patients, like the Singing to Breathe program.

Leaving a future gift is easier than you might think, and there are many benefits. Your income today is not affected, you can ensure your loved ones are taken care of first and there will be significant tax savings for your estate.

Want to learn more about estate planning? We’ve got you covered! From how to get started to details about RRSPs and giving – we’re here to help.  

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Or, visit UHNfoundation.ca/mylegacy or contact us:

416-603-5300 or 1-877-846-4483

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Part of UHN, UHN Foundation raises funds for research, education and the enhancement of patient care at Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, Toronto Rehab and The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. Together with our donors, we’re helping UHN pursue new knowledge to build a healthier world.