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Special Delivery
Lesley Adams
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
On December 19th Vital Volunteers delivered over 150 care packages to patients at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, The Methodist Hospital and Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Volunteers visited patients on the transplant floors of each hospital and also families who were in the ICU waiting rooms. As they passed out the care packages, some sang Christmas carols to brighten spirits and spread holiday cheer.
Gifts were also passed out hospital staff to thank them for everything they do throughout the year to support LifeGift.
It was a wonderful feeling to be able to let patients know that someone was thinking about them while they were spending their holidays in a hospital bed.
Our volunteers provided hope and comfort to patients and their family members. A recent double lung recipient at The Methodist Hospital was able to chat with Vital Volunteer and double lung recipient, Kathleen Schmidt. Kathleen let them know that things are going to be ok!
New Vital Volunteer, Duane Beasley, lost his mother a few months ago. She was able to save four lives through the donation of her organs. Duane visited at St. Luke's Hospital and was very moved. Here is his experience in his own words:
"My mother passed away on October 29, 2010. Her passing left me with much pain and regrets. The only light on that dark day was the knowledge that at least four individuals were given a chance at life through the gift of her organs. In the weeks that followed, I felt apathetic about life in general as I struggled to cope with the loss. On December 19th, I assisted LifeGift pass out care packages to patients on the transplant floor at St. Luke's. Talking with patients, seeing the smiles, receiving many offers of thanks from organ recipients, and caroling from room to room with the volunteers from Kingwood United Methodist Church was a great joy. I had not felt like singing Christmas songs or songs of worship since my mother's passing until I began caroling that day. Thank you, LifeGift, for the opportunity to serve. Grief drew me inward, but my service with LifeGift allowed me to better see the beauty of life, the strength of hope, and the precious gift my mother left to this world."
-Duane Beasley
