How one staff member's battle with cancer inspired United Way giving

Elizabeth Henderson has spent a lot of time on campus. She completed four degrees at the University of Calgary (including an MBA), and now works in the Community Engagement office in the Haskayne School of Business. 

“My favourite thing about working here, hands down, is the people. They are not only great at what they do, they are always kind, often funny and have created a real sense of community that makes it easy to like coming to work,” says Henderson, BA'90, BSc'94, MEDes'97, MBA'13.

Henderson is grateful for the strong and supportive community created by her team in the Haskayne School of Business. Her co-workers stood by her when she was diagnosed with leukemia and was admitted to hospital for chemotherapy treatment.

Since her return to work, she feels strongly that it takes community to protect and nurture the vulnerable in times of crisis, and that feeling has driven her passion for donating to United Way. Henderson is proud to say that she is a United Way Leadership Donor — one of those making a donation of $1,200 or more. United Way gives donors an option to donate toward a specific cause, and Henderson picked the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society of Canada.

“I view giving to the United Way as a triple win. The community benefits from the support it receives for programs to support our most vulnerable citizens, the university benefits from pulling together in a shared mission to support its community, and I as an individual benefit by donating to a cause I feel strongly about through the auspices of the United Way,” she says.

Leadership donors double their dollars

United Way impacts the lives of 500 Calgarians every day, through local community partners to develop, manage and deliver social programs.

New Leadership Donors — those making a donation of $1,200 or more for the first time to the United Way — will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact in the community*. A $1,200 investment becomes $2,400 for someone in need, and for the donor, this equates to $50 per pay period ($27 after tax per pay period). 

Learn more about UCalgary’s United Way campaign and check out the full list of engaging activities. Giving is easy. Give online, download a paper pledge form or find information on tax receipts related to your United Way investment. Or, your donation can easily be made through payroll deductions.

The university’s United Way Campaigns runs until Dec. 15.

*The new Leadership Donor Match is available up to a maximum of $1.6 million. Only contributions supporting United Way programs and initiatives will be matched.