My Turn to Give Back
On Wednesdays, Didi Maillard takes the helm at the hospitality cart, offering coffee and tea to staff in MarinHealth Medical Center.
She’s been making the rounds as a coffee cart barista for more than a decade, not long after her partner of many years was admitted to what was then Marin General Hospital.
“The hospital staff provided invaluable support to me during his final days, and I felt it was my turn to give back,” she said. “It’s such a pleasure to interact with the extremely appreciative staff. The experience has brought me hope, happiness, and sometimes even entertainment.”
A San Francisco native, Didi has lived in the Bay Area and Marin County most of her life. “The beauty of the region has been a lifelong inspiration,” she said, “and the personalities that this area attracts have inspired me throughout the years to try new things.”
Those new things include seeking out new people and different cultures. An enthusiastic traveler, Didi has visited countries from all over the world. She especially enjoys cruises and recently returned from a two-week voyage to Croatia and Italy, bringing her total number of cruises to more than 50.
“While I have several activities in Marin County, I’m always eager for my next trip and new adventures,” she said.
Here at home, her appreciation for MarinHealth Medical Center has deepened during her years as a volunteer. “It became evident that I wanted to leave a lasting impact for the benefit of others,” she said.
Didi made her first gift in 2019 to support a new 3D CT simulator to enable state-of-the-art radiation therapy treatment planning, then one of the Foundation’s annual funding priorities. She made a second gift in 2022 to support the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute, which offers a full range of care options, including education, prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation for heart conditions of all kinds.
In 2023, she decided to leave a lasting legacy to MarinHealth and made a planned gift from her trust. Seventy-five percent of her gift will support the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute and the other twenty-five percent will support Behavioral Health, two programs very important and meaningful to Didi.
“Time has led me to become a legacy donor and to share my story with others,” she said. “I hope it inspires other volunteers, patients, and community members who may also wish to leave a legacy for MarinHealth—and make an impact on the future of healthcare in Marin.”