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Supporter Spotlight: Gil L’Italien

At the beginning of the millennium, Gil L’Italien—an epidemiologist based in New Haven, Connecticut—was looking for ways to give back. His three sons were grown, and after the horror of 9/11 he wanted to spend his free time in two positive ways: By making charitable contributions and by being a friend to those in need. Blessed with a comfortable life, and inspired by the “economy of charity,” Gil set out to make a difference.

He first learned about Fistula Foundation through Nicholas Kristof, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has written at length about the scourge of fistula, the power of treatment, and the impact of the Foundation. Gil liked that Kristof gave high praise to the Foundation for its effectiveness, and Gil found the opportunity to improve a woman’s health to be very straightforward and practical.

“When you donate to Fistula Foundation, and divide your contribution by the cost of the procedure, you know precisely how many women you’ve helped,” said Gil. “This is a charity that makes full use of its donations, because the bulk of expenditures contributes directly to doing good. Your contribution will allow women to get surgery and rejoin their communities, so you are also transforming the lives of her family members and future generations.”

Since 2011 Gil has generously donated to the Foundation. A couple of years ago, he decided to set up a donor-advised fund (DAF). This method of giving provides Gil with an efficient way to contribute to organizations he finds impactful, and offers him favorable tax benefits. Recently, Gil named Fistula Foundation as a beneficiary to his DAF so that his legacy can live on well into the future. He credits his mother, Georgette, for whom his DAF is named, for his generosity.

“The good that’s in me I owe to my mother,” said Gil. “She had the kindest heart, and though she’s passed, in some capacity she knows I’ve done this to honor her.”

Beyond the charitable contributions Gil provides through his DAF, he is passionately committed to his volunteer work. Since 2002, Gil has been a hospice volunteer at Masonicare Home, Health and Hospice in Connecticut. He spends his weekends learning about the lives of others and says one day he will write a book filled with stories of all of the “beautiful souls” he has come to know and befriend.

“Volunteering is a way to do something actionable,” said Gil. “Hospice is much more than end of life care. It’s an opportunity to come to know, love, and call so many people my friends, which is the honor of my life. I wish more men would consider hospice volunteering; It changes us for the better.”

Gil is continuously inspired by the stories of the hospice patients he visits, and the fistula patients he hears about through communications with the Foundation. He hopes that others are inspired by his story, too.

“It’s in our DNA to be charitable—we are meant to be compassionate people, and we have to talk about it,” Gil said. “There’s no other way to inspire others than by telling them what it feels like to give. It’s yet another way to multiply your contribution, and it will grow exponentially. The more we give, the more we have to give.”

Published on October 9, 2024