Over nearly 20 years, Bill Jurgens and his family got to know the Nebraska Medical Center well.

Diagnosed with leukemia in April of 2005, Jurgens was initially given a 20% to 25% chance of survival. Jurgens began a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation that eventually put him into remission. But it didn’t last long. Several months later, the cancer returned.

This time, Jurgens qualified for a stem cell transplant. His sister, Sandy, was a match and donated her stem cells. The procedure was a success.

While Jurgens experienced a lot of ups and downs over the years, the transplant blessed him with another 19 years of life.

“We wouldn’t trade that extra time with my dad for anything,” says daughter Kayla Cunningham. “He got to attend the weddings of all three of his children and walk his two daughters down the aisle, and he got to see five out of six grandchildren being born.”

During those 19 years, Jurgens experienced a host of other health problems that required hospitalization, including prostate cancer, lung infections and a broken hip, among others. But Jurgens always rebounded. In the end, it was a lung infection and heart failure that would take his life.

Jurgens’ time in the hospital made him more appreciative of the support he had from friends and families and the financial resources he had to help him through these difficult times. But he noticed that many patients didn’t have the same support and resources. His empathy for others, especially the children he saw during his hospital stays, touched his heart to the core. He felt inspired to help.

He started by adopting a needy family of a pediatric patient over the holidays each year to help with food and gifts. His family estimates they have helped 375 families over the past 18 years.

Still wanting to do more, Jurgens created the Nebraska Medicine Friends of Willy Oncology Patient Assistance Fund to provide oncology patients assistance with things such as meals, travel and housing. He also created the Friends of Willy Foundation at the Omaha Community Foundation. This fund supports the hospital’s Child Life and Family Development Department and has been used to provide support for summer beach parties, camps, music therapy, educational supplies and iPads for the kids.

“Bill was extremely passionate about helping children and their families,” says his wife, Dagmar Jurgens. “He wanted to make things more comfortable for them and lift their spirits. It was Bill’s way of paying it forward.”

“Private philanthropy is critical to our ability to help our patients and families,” says Emily Tiensvold, Nebraska Medicine senior director of development, University of Nebraska Foundation. “Bill’s consistent donations have allowed us to help countless families over the years. We are so grateful for his passion and dedication to helping others.”