After treatment for cancer, Kenneth Urtel received care at his Lockport home from a team of Continuing and Home Care professionals. He shares why giving back with a donation to the Foundation is the right way to care for him.
What is your relationship with Continuing and Home Care at Catholic Health?
After surgery for colon cancer, I required continuous infusion of chemotherapy by pump that involved about 48 hours of operation. Services from Catholic Health’s McCauley Seton Home Care enabled me to remain home for the chemo treatments, as a team of nurses and staff came to connect the pump and returned to disconnect it.
What or who inspired you to make your first gift?
Everyone who came to help me. Each nurse from Continuing and Home Care took the time to understand my needs and make sure I was comfortable. Not only were they caring and compassionate, they were skilled on the technical aspects of the treatment, giving me tips on how to deal with the chemo and keeping me informed. My gift is in recognition of their hard work and personalized support they gave me.
Why do you personally feel it is important to support the Foundation?
Before college I joined the Peace Corps VISTA program and I have always believed in the importance of giving back. In my retirement, I make it a point to give to many charities and non-profits, and now include Catholic Health. By supporting the Foundation, I am giving back to the Continuing and Home Care people who helped me so much, so they can continue to provide such care for others in our community. I am so grateful for their help.
What do you hope to achieve with your gift?
While my aim is to recognize the nurses and staff who cared for me, I designated my donation as unrestricted so the Foundation can use it where it is needed most. They provide many, many services to help people at home.
What is your message to others who are considering a gift to the hospital?
I would say make a gift that is local, that benefits the community in which you live. Giving to the Continuing and Home Care Foundation may help a neighbor or family member some day who needs assistance at home, as services are provided throughout Niagara and Erie Counties.
Please consider giving to Continuing and Home Care Foundation.
Take it from Kenneth – you play an important part in the right way to care by giving to Continuing and Home Care Foundation. To make your gift, please use the convenient for below or visit the website to make your secure donation online at chsbuffalo.org/foundations. Any and every contribution will help. Your donation is greatly appreciated and we thank you for joining Continuing and Home Care in the right way to care
