THANK YOU

THANK YOU

Ailing nurse grateful for help she has received

Fanfare:

In a world where we seem to hear about so many bad things happening, I would like to share something really good. I have always said if you give people the opportunity to do good, they will. On March 2, 2008 this theory was proven.

Some time ago, I wrote to you about the caring employees of the Forum Health community and how they helped me face treatment for my blood cancer, myeloma, throughout the past year. I underwent stem cell transplant at Cleveland Clinic in March and April.

An idea to hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser started with a dear friend, Carol Ventresco. This idea grew with the help of Katy Stevens and Angie Palumbo, fellow nurses at Northside Medical Center, and close friends. Many other employees hopped on board to help out, as well as, Fr. Shori, who donated the church hall and the faith community of St. Paul the Apostle Church in New Middletown. Add the spice boys of St. Nick’s parish, who cooked the pasta, the Ursuline and Lisbon baseball players and coaches, who helped serve the meals, volunteers from the American Cancer Society, and many, many wonderful family and friends, and this random act of kindness blossomed into over 1,000 dinners served, and 100 baskets donated for the Chinese auction.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped in any way, and apologize to anyone I may have overlooked. I also want to thank my incredible husband, Jerry, daughter Courtney, mother Carmie, sons Dan, Ryan and Aaron, brother Matthew and sis Barb for their constant support of me during this battle against this dreadful disease. God bless you all for sharing your time, talents and treasures.

Donna M. Detwiler RN

North Lima