Roger on Leaving a Bequest for Children’s Health
Why Roger is leaving a gift in his will
Roger, a long-time advocate for social justice and health equity, has always believed that true change comes when people act not for themselves, but for future generations.
That belief is at the heart of his decision to leave a gift in his Will to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).
“For me, leaving a legacy is about something lasting and enduring,” Roger explains. “When I think about the great benefits I’ve received in my own life - vaccines, antibiotics, breakthroughs in health care - I know they were made possible by people who never lived to see the impact of their work. They invested in the future, and I want to do the same.”
Roger, a long-time advocate for social justice and health equity, has always believed that true change comes when people act not for themselves, but for future generations.
That belief is at the heart of his decision to leave a gift in his Will to...
Roger, a long-time advocate for social justice and health equity, has always believed that true change comes when people act not for themselves, but for future generations.
That belief is at the heart of his decision to leave a gift in his Will to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).
“For me, leaving a legacy is about something lasting and enduring,” Roger explains. “When I think about the great benefits I’ve received in my own life - vaccines, antibiotics, breakthroughs in health care - I know they were made possible by people who never lived to see the impact of their work. They invested in the future, and I want to do the same.”
Guided by Values
Roger describes his life as guided by five core values: compassion, justice, knowledge, commitment, and stewardship. These same values underpin his decision to leave a bequest to MCRI.
At the heart of Roger’s values is compassion — not just as empathy, but as action. He believes in justice, because life outcomes should never be determined by the luck of where or how a child is born. He values knowledge, knowing that when it is shared, it grows. He upholds commitment, because doing the right thing matters most when there is no reward or recognition. And Roger embraces stewardship, understanding that the world we inherit is not ours to keep — it is ours to protect and pass on.
To Roger, MCRI embodies all of these values. “A great society is one where elders plant trees under whose shade they will never sit,” he reflects. “That is exactly what MCRI is doing—advancing cures, creating prevention strategies, and shaping healthier futures for children everywhere.”
A Global Perspective
Health equity has always been central to Roger’s philosophy. It seems like research funding is directed towards the more common illnesses and conditions, where rare diseases are oftenoverlooked. Yet together, these conditions represent one of the most profound challenges in child health. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, no matter how rare their condition. With more than 100 gene discoveries and world-leading paediatric trials, MCRI is driving discoveries that bring answers — and hope — to children and families across the globe. “Every child is more than a statistic”, he says “They are someone’s story, someone’s future.”
He also cares deeply about global health. Living in Australia, Roger recognises the privilege of access to world-class health care and research. But he knows millions of children worldwide are not so fortunate. Supporting MCRI, he says, means helping children far beyond our borders.`
The Gift of Hope
Throughout his work and travels, Roger has seen children enduring enormous suffering—hooked up to endless machines, surrounded by worry. And yet, he has also seen their resilience: curiosity, laughter, and hope shining through, even in the toughest moments.
“To me, the best legacy we can leave is not our name carved in stone,” Roger says. “It’s something that changes lives and grows into the future.”
Leaving a gift in his Will to MCRI is, for Roger, both humbling and liberating. Humbling, because his contribution alone won’t solve every problem—but joined with others, it can create real change. Liberating, because giving without expectation of recognition or reward is, in his words, “the purest form of giving.”
Roger believes children are both societies’ most vulnerable and its most powerful investment. Supporting them through health, research, and education is not only an act of compassion—it is an act of justice.
And that is why he has chosen to leave a bequest: not for himself, but for the children who will come after us—their health, their happiness, and their futures.
