Giving Offers Fulfillment for West Bloomfield Community Leader

Gary Faber has many reasons to feel proud these days: His wonderful family and meaningful career as an educator, West Bloomfield High School’s first-ever state football championship and a recent hole-in-one, just to name a few.

Another item high on that list is his generous support for patients of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.

A former superintendent of the West Bloomfield School District, Faber served two terms on the hospital’s Board of Trustees, including a period of service when the hospital was under construction. During that time, he provided input on the design of the state-of-the-art facility and led an effort by students, families and staff of the school district to raise funds for the hospital library.

“At the time, we knew it represented a very forward-looking change in what we thought hospitals were going to be, versus what they had been,” he said. “Over time that has proven to be the case. It’s an effective source for improving health in the community.”

Through his experiences on the board, Gary witnessed the hospital’s impact up close and was especially moved by Henry Ford’s commitment to providing world-class, compassionate care to all patients.

For years, Gary and his wife Sandra – a fellow educator who served as an elementary school principal in the Walled Lake Public Schools – have invested in the hospital’s mission, supporting research, as well as funds to help patients in need.

The couple recently decided to leave a lasting legacy for these causes by naming Henry Ford Health as a beneficiary in their will. Their gift will support Game On Cancer, which provides a wealth of important resources to Henry Ford Cancer patients, including supportive oncology services, research funding and direct assistance to navigate the financial toxicity of a cancer diagnosis.

“All of the funds will go to help patients with cancer, especially those who really need it,” Faber said. “We felt this was something that could do some good, and we’re happy that we can include the gift in our will while still taking care of our family.”

Now retired, Gary and Sandra spend winters in Florida, but still call West Bloomfield home for much of the year. Their two adult children and three grandchildren live in the area, and their connections to the community runs deep.

“I still take pride in West Bloomfield as a community,” Gary said. “And giving in this fashion is the same thing: it instills a sense of pride and fulfillment.”