Rare disease community members making wills.

Solidify Your Legacy for Make a Will Month

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August is national “Make a Will Month,” a critical moment for planned giving and making a lasting impact.  

Every adult – regardless of age – should take the time to create a will to ensure that any final wishes they may have are executed in the way they desire. Creating a will this month can offer peace of mind and present an opportunity to plan ahead or make a difference for your community and loved ones. 

As you prepare your estate plans, consider whether you would like to include a charitable organization in your will and/or as beneficiary of your accounts. As with any beneficiary, it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing scenario. You can decide to leave any percentage of your estate that you please to a charity or even to multiple charities. 

Since 1983, NORD has served the rare disease community as a patient advocacy organization, with an unyielding commitment to identifying, treating, and curing rare disorders. NORD believes that all people living with a rare disease have a fundamental right to their best health and well-being. With that belief as a guide and through the tremendous generosity of our donors – living and posthumous – NORD builds partnerships, raises funds, and advocates for solutions that address the complex issues of the rare family. 

There are several ways to give to NORD in your will, including through stocks, cash, and other assets. Make an unrestricted gift to ensure your legacy continues to support work that carries on your values and commitment to the rare disease community’s most pressing challenges. 

When NORD learned that nearly two-thirds of Americans do not have an estate plan, we partnered with FreeWill to offer our community a free online resource empowering you to create an estate plan. FreeWill’s secure online tool helps you write a will at no immediate cost, so you can rest assured that your assets have a plan in place. Thinking about what’s included in your estate can feel overwhelming but taking inventory of your assets can help. FreeWill’s estate planning tools are available for you to take this important step to secure your future, at no immediate cost. 

If you already have a will, below we are offering some sample language you can add to your will or share with your estate planner or attorney: 

  • “I give (or bequeath) to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) located in Quincy, Massachusetts, a non-stock charitable corporation, for the general charitable purposes, the following assets: _____________.” 

With your support, NORD will continue to grow, impact lasting change, and meet the needs of the national and global rare community for many years to come.