I am a firm believer that with everyone there are moments, circumstances and people that fundamentally shape who we are, what we believe and how we move through this journey called life.
From the time that I was an infant, I knew what long-term illness looked like, through my father. As one of the pioneering patients in organ transplantation and associated medications, he taught my sister and me the power of hope and a positive outlook for any situation. Throughout his lifetime, he received four kidney transplants – some not the best fit when the need was dire and others a perfect match, as was the case on New Year’s Eve as a ‘present’ for a joyous new year. These operations, dialysis appointments and ongoing doctor visits brought my family far from home to the center of hope for us – UPMC Hospitals in Pittsburgh, PA.
It’s not easy or inexpensive to travel for long periods of time due to medical reasons. Families find themselves without their support structure and often times with large financial debt, as well. Over the years, my family has relied on an organization called Family House to help us along the way.
Family House provides housing and support to family members and patients facing difficult medical issues. It could be a few nights, a few weeks or even months that someone could be living at one of their houses, close to the medical facilities. The need to stay is often unplanned, which results in additional stress – like where to sleep, what to eat and even how to shower or clean your clothes. Family House provides support in all these areas and more through their facilities – like a large community kitchen, private rooms, and donations of items such as toiletries and food. More importantly, they bring together people in similar circumstances who can lend an ear, comfort, understanding and support.
Fast forward nine years from my last stay at Family House (and just over nine years since I joined RSM) and I now have two small children – ages eight and four. Although they will never have an opportunity to meet my father, it’s important to me that they know what kind of person he was, and how important it is to treat others with kindness, as so many others have shown to us.
With the opportunity presented to me through RSM’s Pursue Your Passion program, I was able to continue the fulfillment of my father’s legacy by helping others, getting extended family together and teaching my children first-hand the power of volunteering.
My husband, children and mother traveled together to Family House this December to volunteer our time. We were met there by siblings and cousins who lived in the area and also wanted to help honor my Dad.
We cooked a stir fry dinner for approximately 50 guests, while my children made sugar cookies and decorated them with family members and guests. Throughout the day, we talked to a family who had been staying there since April, waiting for a transplant. We spoke with a father whose daughter had received a stem cell transplant just the week prior, after a very long hospital stay. My brother-in-law, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma five years ago, manned the wok, which brought tears to some of the guests’ eyes, as hope that normal lives can one day resume again.
We came back early the next day and cooked breakfast, which included ‘to-go’ containers so guests could take their meals to the hospital to make morning rounds or in the car for those who were fortunate enough to travel home.
Our intention is to not let this be our only trip to help at Family House, but to continue the tradition each year.
Also, the Pursue Your Passion program has introduced me to a local organization, The Bailey House, which provides the same type of facilities, close to my home. Through this program, I’ve been able to get the ball rolling with the Women’s Auxiliary, which I’ve now joined as a lifetime member. We’ve implemented some ideas, based on my experiences at Family House that directly impact the guests. These include magazine subscriptions, a library, stationary and stamp center and small gift cards to purchase meals (as the Bailey House does not have its own kitchen facility as Family House does). I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Bailey House for many years to come and to exposing my children to the good work that they do as well.
I joined RSM just a few weeks short of what became one of the most difficult times in my life. In times of struggle, I’m reminded of a quote from my childhood, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ I’ve found my helpers at Family House over the years, at RSM through the tough times and now I have had an opportunity to be a helper and teach my children to be a helper as well.
My husband, children and mother traveled together to Family House this December to volunteer our time. We were met there by siblings and cousins who lived in the area and also wanted to help honor my Dad.
We cooked a stir fry dinner for approximately 50 guests, while my children made sugar cookies and decorated them with family members and guests. Throughout the day, we talked to a family who had been staying there since April, waiting for a transplant. We spoke with a father whose daughter had received a stem cell transplant just the week prior, after a very long hospital stay. My brother-in-law, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma five years ago, manned the wok, which brought tears to some of the guests’ eyes, as hope that normal lives can one day resume again.
We came back early the next day and cooked breakfast, which included ‘to-go’ containers so guests could take their meals to the hospital to make morning rounds or in the car for those who were fortunate enough to travel home.
Our intention is to not let this be our only trip to help at Family House, but to continue the tradition each year.
Also, the Pursue Your Passion program has introduced me to a local organization, The Bailey House, which provides the same type of facilities, close to my home. Through this program, I’ve been able to get the ball rolling with the Women’s Auxiliary, which I’ve now joined as a lifetime member. We’ve implemented some ideas, based on my experiences at Family House that directly impact the guests. These include magazine subscriptions, a library, stationary and stamp center and small gift cards to purchase meals (as the Bailey House does not have its own kitchen facility as Family House does). I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Bailey House for many years to come and to exposing my children to the good work that they do as well.
I joined RSM just a few weeks short of what became one of the most difficult times in my life. In times of struggle, I’m reminded of a quote from my childhood, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ I’ve found my helpers at Family House over the years, at RSM through the tough times and now I have had an opportunity to be a helper and teach my children to be a helper as well.
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