Peura Family

Dear Colleague,

Most of us have causes we believe in strongly enough to support with charitable gifts, and I believe that we are seldom disappointed in our giving. Our commitment to philanthropy is well placed. As my wife, Kristin, reminds me, giving is a privilege — the rent we pay for our own blessings and prosperity. A noble cause close to my heart is our own AGA Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition. I feel so strongly about this cause that I’m designating my presidency as The Year of Philanthropy. You may not know this, but over the past 20 years, the AGA and its related foundations have provided grants to more than 300 physicians and researchers to help advance the science and practice of gastroenterology. In September, the Foundation will be accepting applications for its 2006 research awards. Visit www.fdhn.org to see award descriptions and application requirements.

I look forward to building on the Foundation’s worthy tradition by doubling its current endowment. The AGA is committed to increasing the number and size of individual awards granted annually. To ensure the permanence of this commitment, we plan to assemble a $50 million research endowment to fund these awards in perpetuity. The recent generous grant from TAP Pharmaceuticals has provided a huge boost to our efforts; however, we cannot rely solely on industry to support our cause. It’s imperative that we all make a personal commitment to ensure the future of gastroenterology. It makes no difference if we are basic scientists or in academic or private practice settings. Funding medical research benefits us all, and it is the right thing to do!

Giving and “getting” are both feel-good exercises. Our Foundation is fortunate to have a core-group of 80 regional physician volunteers who are committed to helping raise funds for research. They would very much appreciate your participation. Please let our Foundation staff know if you have a patient or friend who is charitably inclined and has a reason to support gastroenterology. The staff will work with you to contact the person in an acceptable, professional manner. Imagine the impact if one or two patients of every AGA member contributed to the Foundation.

An outstanding example of our members volunteering to raise money for the Foundation is the Mentor RSA program where the AGA honors distinguished physician-mentors by endowing a research scholar award in their names. Selected mentors are asked to identify former fellows or colleagues to co-chair a campaign to collect donations in the mentor’s name. Some who were identified as co-chairs for the 2005 award had reservations. But with guidance and support, those volunteers who had initial concerns about asking for money became some of our best champions and most enthusiastic fundraisers.

Thank you to all of this year’s mentors and those who contributed in their honor: Irwin M. Arias, MD; Donald O. Castell, MD; James Christensen, MD; Sidney Cohen, MD; Eugene P. DiMagno, MD; James W. Freston, MD, PhD; Jerry D. Gardner, MD; Ralph A. Giannella, MD; Gary L. Gitnick, MD; Marshall M. Kaplan, MD; Neil Kaplowitz, MD; Emmet B. Keeffe, MD; J. Thomas Lamont, MD; Charles J. Lightdale, MD; Gabriel Makhlouf, MD, PhD; Denis M. McCarthy, MD, PhD; Clifford S. Melnyk, MD; Robert K. Ockner, MD; Don W. Powell, MD; William Silen, MD; Michael F. Sorrell, MD; Robert G. Strickland, MD; Jackie D.Wood, PhD. If you’re interested in learning more about participating in the work of the Foundation, visit the Foundation Web site or e-mail Foundation staff at info@fdhn.org. Please join me and become involved. Together we can help ensure that the science and practice of gastroenterology will remain vibrant, self-sustaining, and full of opportunities. This is our responsibility and — more importantly — our legacy.

Sincerely,
David A. Peura, MD