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Jane Scoppa and (-weeks-old)
Volunteer, , service hours
After my 9-year-old granddaughter was suddenly diagnosed
with inoperable brain cancer, she spent the next nine
months in and out of Texas Children's. The doctors did all
they could, but she lost her courageous battle. It was then
I knew that someday I would return and give back for all
the loving care shown to her. Strangely enough, during the
past 16 years of volunteering I’ve discovered that I receive
a great deal more than I could ever give. The hospital has
been my second family and my home away from home.
They both came home healthy the day be-
fore they had been due.
My family also has been involved in
fundraising for the hospital. My husband
has served on the Bad Pants Open com-
mittee for more than 10 years, and his com-
pany is the presenting sponsor. Our daugh-
ter, Lindsey, works in the hospital’s Public
Relations Department. Things have come
full circle for our family.
H E I LY N C H AV E Z
At the age of 16, I was diagnosed with sys -
temic scleroderma, an autoimmune dis-
order, which landed me in the hospital for
a couple of weeks. The first day was nerve
racking until two volunteers came into my
room with a cart full of activities and col-
oring books.
After that, I looked forward to the fun
cart every day to relieve some stress and
just relax during my long treatments. Many
patients feel the same way. The volunteers
at Texas Children’s are just as essential as
the doctors and nurses; they provide com-
fort, fun and games in the toughest situa-
tions.
I am now a 19-year-old college student
volunteering in the most incredible place
on Earth. I am blessed and honored to be
a part of the Texas Children’s volunteer
family and have the ability to help spread
the love and compassion I received as a
patient.
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