A “helping personality” has improved many lives

Shortly after her mother and nephew passed away, Claudia Johnson went searching online for an organization to support, one that could help reduce the devastation to human lives caused by disease. “I chose Scripps Research,” she says, “because of their broad scope. My family has been impacted by Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and addiction, so rather than give to one disease-focused organization, I can support research into all of these areas.”

She made an initial donation online, followed by others. “It wasn’t that much, just $1,000 or $2,000 at a time. But I always received personal thank-you notes, and I appreciated that.” Over the years, her relationship with the institute developed and, early in 2019, she accepted an invitation to visit the La Jolla, California, campus of Scripps Research and take a tour. She was wowed.

“I got to meet and talk with Michael Bollong, who is pursuing regenerative medicine for heart failure, and Jeff Kelly, who is just amazing and spent so much time with me. I visited the Pearson Center [for Alcoholism and Addiction Research] and talked with the scientists there. Everyone’s passion for their research was so contagious! It confirmed for me that Scripps Research is really where I want to continue donating.”

Claudia, who has an art history degree from UCLA, was raised with a sense of responsibility. “I’ve always had a helping personality,” she says. “I’m the oldest of four and my dad always reminded me to ‘take care of your brothers and sister.’”

That bent toward caring was fully realized when her husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly after their marriage. He lived with the disease for 30 years. “That was not an easy journey,” Claudia says, “but taking care of him is what I’m most proud of. He was the love of my life.”

Today, she continues to improve the lives of others while supporting Scripps Research. She shares institute news with her friends via social media and when she shops on AmazonSmile, she always designates Scripps Research as the recipient of the 0.5% rebate offered by the AmazonSmile Foundation. “The mission of Scripps Research matches my mission in life,” Claudia says. “So, I’ll continue to help the scientists there any way I can.”