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Life-Altering Tragedies Inspire Long Branch Woman to Give for the Future
As Chair of the Cranmer Legacy Society at Monmouth Medical Center, Karen Siciliano is on a mission to educate people about something near and dear to her heart: planned giving.
The successful Long Branch businesswoman was inspired to take on this cause after experiencing two life-changing events.
First, Karen's mother was just 60 years old when she lost her life to breast cancer after a misdiagnosis. Karen believes that if Monmouth's Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center had existed then, her mother's fate might have been different.
A few years later, September 11 happened. At the time, Karen was putting in her 18th year as a successful Wall Street broker. For her, like many in the region, the tragic event had a personal impact and forever changed Karen's outlook on life. She lost 26 friends that day - many of whom worked at Cantor Fitzgerald. Just a week later, Karen tried to go back to work but the "sights and sounds were raw." Ultimately, she resigned.
After a period of soul-searching, Karen landed on her feet and decided it was time to pursue something she contemplated six months before - running her family's Red Bank-based business, Siciliano Landscape Company, L.L.C.
New outlook on life
The combination of tragic events reminded Karen of how fleeting life can be and led her to Monmouth Medical Center.
"I wanted to establish a legacy for my mother by contributing to the Wilentz Center," says Karen. "By doing so, I keep her spirit alive through the breast center."
"After going through these tough life experiences, I learned that there's no better time than now to plan your legacy gift," says Karen. "Many of the friends I lost on 9/11 did not have wills. It became important to me to put into writing where I wanted my assets to go when I'm no longer here. Through planned giving, I can take matters into my own hands. My planned gift will provide for everything and everyone that's important to me."
Karen says that planned giving is one of the most painless ways to give. "It's an IOU that puts money into purposeful use after your passing and leaves the world a better place," she says.
"Once you see firsthand how your gift touches the lives of others, it's a reward in itself."
-Karen Siciliano
Living through giving
As owner and president of Siciliano Landscape Company, a third-generation family business, giving back is part of the company's DNA. The business regularly supports fund-raising events to benefit Monmouth Medical Center's programs and services, including donating a garden at the breast center.
In addition to her role with the Cranmer Legacy Society, Karen also serves on the Board of Trustees of Monmouth Medical Center and is a Monmouth Medical Center Foundation Advisory Board member.
"As members of the community, we have a responsibility to contribute. Monmouth's specialized services for women and children fuel my passion," says Karen.