Tracy Schultz knew to help cope with the grief of losing her son, Mason, she had to find a way to give back. It was one way to honor Mason’s passion for helping others.
“He was a giver and always thinking of others,” said Tracy. “He was the kind of person who would help anybody, and I knew I wanted to continue doing that for him.”
In 2008, when Mason was 21-years-old, he died from injuries he received after a motor vehicle crash. After first responders cared for him at the scene, Mason was transported to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center–Neenah to prepare him for the ThedaStar flight to Madison. Mason was flown to Madison where he later passed away that evening.
Mason had a fiancée, Tiffany, and a daughter, Sophia, who had just turned one a few days before the accident.
The family continued on through difficult times.
To honor Mason’s life, they wanted to find a way to give back to others. Mason spent much of his time outdoors, on land owned by his grandparents. The land would later be dubbed, “Masonville”. He loved to fish, snowmobile and camp. The family channeled his passions to create an event, held each October, that included a raffle where prizes were given away, and some of the proceeds would support local organizations. Over the years, Tracy estimates they’ve donated more than $10,000.
“We wanted to support organizations that either helped Mason at the time of his accident, or that he had a special connection to,” said Tracy. “Over the years, we’ve donated to fire departments, emergency medical response teams, the conservation club and the UW Health Burn and Wound Center.”
Last year, the family donated the money from the annual event to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, which supported the ThedaStar program with their training manikins. The family’s generosity would help purchase replacement parts, provide upgrades and more. The manikins allow flight crew members to practice caring for patients, and advance their skills in an effort to continuously improve the level of care provided to the communities served.
“It’s really heartwarming to understand how the manikins will be used,” said Tracy. “I know the ThedaStar team and caregivers did all they could for Mason. It was just his day. We hope that the training manikins can allow the nurses and teams to provide the best care possible for the next person who needs it.”
“We are so grateful for the Schultz family and their generosity,” said Amanda Charais, CFRE, Regional Development Director with the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. “To experience a tragic loss as they have, and then find it in their hearts to turn it into a way to help others who might need emergency care, is truly what it means to have a heart of a donor.”
In 2022, Mason’s family toured the ThedaStar hangar, and the flight team had the opportunity to thank them.
“It was really neat to see inside the hangar and meet the team,” said Tracy. “It was wonderful to see how our support can impact the program, and help someone else when they’re in need.”
As a result of their support, the ThedaCare Family of Foundations and ThedaStar asked the Schultz family if they would like to name the manikins.
The family chose Sophia, after Mason’s daughter, and Jake after Mason’s dog.
Tracy said that the family plans to continue holding the event each year, raising money for more organizations in the community.
“I think Mason would be proud,” she said. “I am happy we can continue doing this for him.”
Through unimaginable grief, Tracy has advice for others who might be experiencing the loss of a loved one.
“I hope they can search in their heart and find a way to carry on,” she said. “I also hope they can share special memories of their loved one, it can help keep their spirit alive. Sometimes that helps us go on, as difficult as it may be. And I hope those memories bring them peace.”
Heart of a Donor Series
This article is part of a planned series featuring generous donors who support the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. Donations to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations help fund projects and programs on many levels across the system. If you know a donor, or community organization, who has a connection to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, and believe should be featured in the “Heart of a Donor” series, please email Foundations@thedacare.org.
To learn more about the ThedaCare Family of Foundations and the impact of donor support, please visit thedacare.org/Foundations.
Mason Schultz’s memory lives on as his family provides support to community organizations.
Last year, the family donated the money from the annual event to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, which supported the ThedaStar program with their training manikins. The family’s generosity would help purchase replacement parts, provide upgrades and more. The manikins allow flight crew members to practice caring for patients, and advance their skills in an effort to continuously improve the level of care provided to the communities served.
To honor Mason’s life, his family wanted to find a way to give back to others. Mason spent much of his time outdoors, on land owned by his grandparents. The land would later be dubbed, “Masonville”.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 600,000 residents in 17 counties and employs approximately 7,000 health care professionals. ThedaCare has 180 points of care, including eight hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, finding solutions together, and encouraging health awareness and action. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts about a patient’s care. ThedaCare is proud to partner with Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network to enhance convenient access to the most advanced levels of specialty care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care.
For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
