Life after loss is never simple, and for the Madden family, it began with an unimaginable heartbreak. Their baby boy, Grant, was born, and doctors quickly discovered a critical misread blood test. With the proper knowledge, this treatable condition could have been addressed, and Grant’s life saved. The profound grief of losing Grant deeply impacted the entire family.

A few years later, the Madden family braced for the arrival of Gabby, a pregnancy shadowed by Grant’s memory and complicated by the same treatable condition. Amy’s pregnancy with Gabby was complex, requiring four in-utero blood transfusions. After birth, little Gabby required a full-body blood transfusion and a prolonged NICU stay.

Older sister, Eliza Madden, was almost 10 years old at the time. Having experienced the heartache of losing her brother, Eliza was desperate for the chance to meet her baby sister. Unfortunately, due to Gabby’s medical state and the restrictions of RSV season, Eliza was not allowed into the NICU.

Until two compassionate NICU nurses saw Eliza’s struggle and realized that her heart needed to connect with her baby sister. Eliza recalled this meaningful moment, “Those nurses gowned me up and made sure I was safe and secure. Then, they took me in to meet her. That’s the only time I got to see her in the NICU, for half an hour. That was when I knew that I was going to be a NICU nurse one day.”

That pivotal time visiting Gabby in the NICU inspired Eliza’s calling. When she began to pursue her nursing education, Eliza chose St. Francis, one of the top three nursing schools in the state of Indiana.

She was able to graduate with minimal debt, thanks in part to the Mary G. Fuller Scholarship, easing the financial burden during a challenging time for her family as Amy was undergoing cancer treatment. “I’m so thankful for the Fuller scholarship,” Eliza shared. “It took a lot of stress off my shoulders during a tough time, both at school and at home. It was a great relief for me and my family.”

William Fuller established this fund at the Henry County Community Foundation through his estate plan in memory of his mother, Mary. Mary worked as a full-time nurse while caring for her family as a single mother. William wanted her legacy to live on through a renewable scholarship that would benefit students seeking a degree in nursing.

This gift, thought of many years ago and set aside in an estate plan, is now making a difference in the lives of nursing students, like Eliza Madden, and will continue to do so for years to come.

After graduating early, Eliza was eager to start her career. She applied for a NICU position at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis. She felt nervous going into the process after hearing that most NICUs prefer not to hire recent graduates. During her interview with a handful of staff members from the hospital, she shared the deeply personal story of what inspired her to become a NICU nurse.

Eliza couldn’t believe what happened next. “One of the managers looked at me and asked about my sister and my experience. She wanted to know when that would have been. She told me she was there. She was one of the nurses who had cared for my sister. I was in tears realizing that she could be the reason I was there. I just knew – This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Eliza now works as a dedicated NICU nurse, finding immense reward in her daily work. Her journey, born from loss and fueled by a moment of profound compassion, was made possible by the foresight of a planned gift.

When donors include the Henry County Community Foundation in their estate plans, they create a ripple effect of hope and opportunity, one that can stretch across generations. Just like the Mary G. Fuller Scholarship, these thoughtful gifts turn personal legacies into lasting impact, helping students like Eliza step into their calling and make a difference in the world.