Catherine Cavanaugh’s Legacy Was Built on Giving Creatively to Her Community

Catherine “Cam” Cavanaugh was the ideal benefactor, supporting various needs at Morristown Medical Center using different types of gifts, including those made in her will and gift annuities.

Whether pursuing a career as an author, fighting for the environment or donating to Morristown Medical Center, the late Catherine “Cam” Cavanaugh never tired of doing good in the place she called home for almost seven decades.

The longtime Morristown, New Jersey, resident was always ready to help others, especially when giving to the hospital, which soon became one of her favorite personal missions. “Cam was the ideal benefactor,” said Cynthia W. O’Donnell, JD, director of gift planning for the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center. “She had an incredible impact on the hospital because she gave to specific needs, such as our Hospice and Palliative Care Program and more general needs, such as the Foundation’s Annual Fund.”

Cam quickly saw the benefit of diversifying her gifts and generously began giving annuities and bequests whenever possible. “Cam’s gift annuities were a win-win, allowing her an immediate fixed payment for life and a tax deduction in addition to supplying the hospital with resources that worked exactly like cash,” said Cynthia. “Her transformative giving drove medical advances at Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, the Gagnon Institute of Bioskills Training and Innovation, and the Sameth Emergency Department. She also helped our community during the pandemic with donations to the COVID-19 Support Fund.”

As Morristown Medical Center continues attracting the brightest medical minds, elevating compassionate patient-centric care and investing in the latest, state-of-the-art technology, legacies like Cam’s play a crucial role in helping the hospital to advance exceptional health care for our communities.

If you are interested in making an impact on Morristown Medical Center patients and their families or would like to learn more about planned giving, contact Cynthia W. O'Donnell, JD, at 973.593.2418 or cynthia.odonnell@atlantichealth.org.