Kindness moves caregiver to tears

Randy Querin wanted to help a friend’s family in “some small way” after they received shattering news.

His friend had been admitted for acute breathing difficulties to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, where Querin is a caregiver in the communications department.

After several days, the family was devastated to learn that prolonged loss of oxygen had caused permanent brain damage.

His friend would never wake up.

Querin said, “During this terrible time, as the family kept a round-the-clock vigil, it was hard for them to do even basic things like sleeping or getting a good meal.”

He asked the Food Services team at PeaceHealth Southwest about purchasing a pre-paid meal card to allow the family to eat well while staying together for support.

To Querin's astonishment, the team in Food Services set up an account for the family at no charge, making it easy for them to get meals at any of the on-campus cafeterias. Cafeteria caregivers are an extension of the healing team—relieving pain and suffering for patients, families, visitors and staff alike—in a very tangible way. Seeing and meeting needs in special circumstances like these is not uncommon.

But the act of generosity was far more than Querin dreamed.

“I was absolutely overwhelmed by this show of kindness to a family going through a very dark time,” he said. “When I tried to say ‘thank you,’ no words came. Only tears.”