Bill Tilley and Donna Scott-Tilley, PhD

Every Day is a Gift

Planned Gift Helps Ensure Scholarships for Future Nursing Students

For several years, Bill Tilley (TTU Business Administration ’93) and Donna Scott-Tilley, PhD, (Nursing ’97, ’91), had discussed including a charitable gift in their estate planning. Their goal was to support scholarships at their alma maters. Someday, the couple thought, we’ll make the gift official by completing the paperwork.

The Friday after Thanksgiving 2017, Bill’s heart stopped beating.

Within minutes, and with no prior warning, Bill experienced sudden cardiac death. It’s a condition caused by a malfunction of the heart’s electrical system. Without intervention, the survival rate is less than 1%.

Donna’s training through the TTUHSC School of Nursing sent her immediately into nurse mode, performing CPR on her husband until EMS arrived. Bill beat the odds after a few days in the hospital and being fitted with a medical device to correct future arrhythmias.

With a renewed urgency, the Tilleys did what they had always planned to do. Their Gift of Impact names TTUHSC School of Nursing as one of their insurance beneficiaries so nursing students, like Donna, have the opportunity to learn life-saving skills. Their gift also benefits the Texas Tech University School of Music.

Interested in making your GIFT OF IMPACT? Contact Nathan Rice, CFRE, at giftplanning@ttu.edu or 806.742.1781.