Looking to the Past and the Future

Gordon Hallas

Gordon Hallas, 48, established a bequest to benefit YNHH as the result of a very unplanned hospital experience when he was a child. At the age of five, he was hit by a car while riding his tricycle. The accident nearly severed his left leg and left him with serious internal injuries. He was transported to his local hospital where two unsuccessful operations were performed. When his condition began to deteriorate further, he was transferred to YNHH for immediate surgery. The surgeons found a small tear in his intestine that was causing a severe loss of blood. “The doctors and nurses who performed the surgery and took care of me post-op saved my life. I would not be here today without them,” says Hallas.

Hallas remembers being “treated like a king” during his two-month stay at YNHH. “The whole staff, especially the nurses, taught me the value of caring for someone in need. Even at that young age, it gave me a sense of appreciation for life and for getting a second chance,” he says. But his appreciation of YNHH goes beyond his own care. His nephew, Trevor Hallas, 16, had been treated at YNHH for juvenile diabetes.

When Hallas was recovering at YNHH all those years ago, the nurses gave him a little piggy bank in an attempt to get their sad little patient to smile. Anyone who came to visit, even the doctors, was requested to drop a coin into the piggy bank. Flash forward and Hallas is returning the money from that piggy bank with sizable interest.

Twelve years ago, he established a bequest to support the Pediatric Play and Equipment Fund of the Child Life Program at YNHCH. “I chose YNHCH because they literally saved my life. I really feel that without them, I wouldn’t be here or have experienced the things that I did, or get married and have the incredible family that I have been blessed with,” he says.

It is unusual for someone so young to set up a bequest. But Hallas, who owns the construction company, Hallas Associates, LLC., likes to get things done. When he was in his 30s, he happened to receive a newsletter from YNHH, which brought back memories of his stay there. “I felt it was time for me to give back to Yale New Haven Hospital since they saved my life but I didn’t have money to give. I heard about planned giving, and I knew I could do that. I decided to set up the bequest then,” he says.

“YNHH saved my life, and helped save my nephew’s. I have kids now, and if anything had happened to one of mine, I would want them to go to YNHH. It gives me peace of mind to know that we are so close by. Is there a price you can put on all that?”