When Brenda Nease was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, listening to music and playing the piano helped her through her treatment and recovery.
Now Nease uses music to help other patients and their families at Emory Winship Cancer Institute. Several years after her treatment, Nease became a volunteer and a member of the Emory Winship advisory board.
In honor of Nease's work, a longtime friend Howard Tellepsen and his family donated $25,000 to Emory Winship to establish the Brenda Nease Fund.
Through support from the fund, Nease suggested the purchase of a Yamaha C1 baby grand piano for Emory Winship's lobby. The gift also supports the piano's maintenance.
Every week Nease can be found playing everything from old standards to classical tunes in the institute's lobby.
"We encourage volunteers, students, faculty, and members of the Emory community to come and play whenever they can," says Nease, who plays at least once a week. "Now some of the patients are even beginning to come in and play the piano, which is better than I ever imagined. The piano is so beautiful, and I am just thrilled so many people have been playing."
Tellepsen, a Georgia Tech graduate, understands how Nease's personal experiences have led to her dedication. His 93-year-old mother also is a breast cancer survivor.
"Brenda is so pleased to be on the advisory board at Emory Winship, and I was honored when she called and gave me an opportunity to make a gift," says Tellepsen, chairman and CEO of a 100-year-old, family-owned construction company in Houston. "I'm just happy to be able to help her help others. This is a gift that keeps giving because it is not only a gift for Emory Winship, but for all of the patients."
Emory Winship executive director Walter J. Curran shares this sentiment.
"The gifts of time, talent, and philanthropy that Brenda Nease brings to her volunteerism efforts at Emory Winship make a meaningful difference for everyone. We are humbled by her thoughtful focus on the patient experience," Curran says.
Since the piano was delivered in September, patients arriving at Emory Winship for early morning appointments have often been greeted by the sound of staff member Tricia Harper playing hymns before her shift begins.
"When I saw that they needed volunteers willing to play I immediately responded," says Harper, an ultrasound technologist who began playing piano again in the past couple of years after being away from the instrument for many years. "I have a keyboard I play at home, but there is nothing like a real piano. I mostly play old church songs that a lot of people recognize, and I think they find it comforting and soothing. Just about every day one or two people will come by and say thank you or to tell me they enjoy it."
The Tellepsen family's gift is part of Campaign Emory, a $1.6 billion fund-raising endeavor that combines private support and the University's people, places, and programs to make a powerful contribution to the world. Investments through Campaign Emory fuel efforts to address fundamental challenges: improving health, gaining ground in science and technology, resolving conflict, harnessing the power of the arts, and educating the heart and mind.
If you would like to volunteer to play the piano at Emory Winship, please contact DaVida Lee-Williams (404.778.2405), Emory Winship's coordinator of volunteer services.
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Showing posts with label emory university. Show all posts
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
'Emory Cares' During International Day of Service
More than 1,200 volunteers, from Atlanta to Hong Kong and multiple points in between, are set to take part in Emory Cares International Service Day 2009 this Saturday, Nov. 14. Members of the Emory University community will lead dozens of service projects in 40 cities in nine countries across five continents.
In Atlanta alone, more than 800 members of the Emory community – alumni, students, staff, faculty and parents – are set to fan out across the city for a variety of service projects. Volunteers will participate in a cleanup Oakland Cemetery, help sort donations for refugees and foster children, work on stream cleanups and trail maintenance in local parks, repair homes for senior citizens, and participate in Habitat for Humanity builds, among other projects. Emory President James Wagner will be among the volunteers sorting medical supplies for delivery to developing nations at local nonprofit MedShare.
The growth of Emory Cares, a signature program of the Emory Alumni Association (EAA), has been steady since its founding in 2003 by Emory alumna Renelda Mack, then president of the Board of Governors (now known as the Emory Alumni Board). Following her lead, Emory alumni in cities across the country and around the world stepped up and volunteered to lead service projects.
Outside the United States, alumni and parents in Argentina, Hong Kong, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, South Africa and South Korea are hosting Emory Cares projects. In Barcelona, alumni will host a bowling tournament to fund a nonprofit that assists African children. Volunteers will work an organic farm in Darmstadt, Germany, and in Seoul, alumni and students will volunteer at Peace House, a home for physically and mentally disabled men.
In Atlanta, the EAA expanded its partnerships with Volunteer Emory and other campus organizations, which has brought hundreds of students into the volunteer mix. Several of the EAA's alumni interest groups are planning service projects of their own, including EAA's Atlanta Young Alumni chapter, the Caucus of Emory Black Alumni and Emory Gay and Lesbian Alumni.
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In Atlanta alone, more than 800 members of the Emory community – alumni, students, staff, faculty and parents – are set to fan out across the city for a variety of service projects. Volunteers will participate in a cleanup Oakland Cemetery, help sort donations for refugees and foster children, work on stream cleanups and trail maintenance in local parks, repair homes for senior citizens, and participate in Habitat for Humanity builds, among other projects. Emory President James Wagner will be among the volunteers sorting medical supplies for delivery to developing nations at local nonprofit MedShare.
The growth of Emory Cares, a signature program of the Emory Alumni Association (EAA), has been steady since its founding in 2003 by Emory alumna Renelda Mack, then president of the Board of Governors (now known as the Emory Alumni Board). Following her lead, Emory alumni in cities across the country and around the world stepped up and volunteered to lead service projects.
Outside the United States, alumni and parents in Argentina, Hong Kong, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, South Africa and South Korea are hosting Emory Cares projects. In Barcelona, alumni will host a bowling tournament to fund a nonprofit that assists African children. Volunteers will work an organic farm in Darmstadt, Germany, and in Seoul, alumni and students will volunteer at Peace House, a home for physically and mentally disabled men.
In Atlanta, the EAA expanded its partnerships with Volunteer Emory and other campus organizations, which has brought hundreds of students into the volunteer mix. Several of the EAA's alumni interest groups are planning service projects of their own, including EAA's Atlanta Young Alumni chapter, the Caucus of Emory Black Alumni and Emory Gay and Lesbian Alumni.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Emory Students Team up to Help Atlantans in Need
More than 400 Emory University Rollins School of Public Health students will roll up their sleeves on Thursday, Aug. 28, for a day of service to help Atlanta communities in need.
This is the second year that incoming public health students will participate in "Rollins-teer Day" as part of new student orientation. The event was such a hit with last year's incoming class that organizers planned an encore service day this year and added more than a dozen volunteer sites for students to choose from.
Students will volunteer with local charities that address challenges related to poverty, homelessness, distribution of medical services and supplies, chronic disease and environmental conservation.
The Rollins-teer Service Learning Program was established so students can stay connected to the community throughout their time at the Rollins School of Public Health, says Kristin Unzicker, assistant director of international affairs and special programs.
"On this day, students will 'learn while doing' and begin to think about how to tackle issues that adversely affect thousands of people in Atlanta," Unzicker says. "We anticipate that this experience will enhance Rollins School of Public Health students' opportunities for service and learning while creating lasting relationships throughout the community."
Service sites include the Atlanta Union Mission, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, MedShare International, Senior Citizens Services, Project Open Hand, Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, CHRIS Kids, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and Park Pride.
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This is the second year that incoming public health students will participate in "Rollins-teer Day" as part of new student orientation. The event was such a hit with last year's incoming class that organizers planned an encore service day this year and added more than a dozen volunteer sites for students to choose from.
Students will volunteer with local charities that address challenges related to poverty, homelessness, distribution of medical services and supplies, chronic disease and environmental conservation.
The Rollins-teer Service Learning Program was established so students can stay connected to the community throughout their time at the Rollins School of Public Health, says Kristin Unzicker, assistant director of international affairs and special programs.
"On this day, students will 'learn while doing' and begin to think about how to tackle issues that adversely affect thousands of people in Atlanta," Unzicker says. "We anticipate that this experience will enhance Rollins School of Public Health students' opportunities for service and learning while creating lasting relationships throughout the community."
Service sites include the Atlanta Union Mission, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, MedShare International, Senior Citizens Services, Project Open Hand, Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, CHRIS Kids, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and Park Pride.
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Friday, July 11, 2008
Atlanta Kidney Transplant Recipient to Represent Georgia in National Transplant Games in Pittsburgh
HHG Note: Another inspiring young man! Ken's story is a great reminder as to why we all need to say "yes" as a donor on our driver's license. Good luck in Pittsburgh, Ken!
While many medical students were preparing for board exams in 2006, Ken Sutha was already spending plenty of time in the hospital as a patient.
Diagnosed with kidney disease at age 10, Sutha's condition was stable through high school but worsened during college.
"I knew then that I'd have to either go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant," he says.
Sutha received his kidney from his father, Surachai, at Emory University Hospital in April 2006.
After the transplant, he wanted to find more ways to get involved with transplant patients. He become a camp counselor at Camp Independence in Rutledge, Ga., a camp for children diagnosed with kidney disease or with solid organ transplants. Now in his third year as a counselor, Sutha spends one week a summer sharing experiences with other transplant recipients.
He credits fellow counselors and campers with inspiring him to take up swimming on an advanced level, and his dedication to the sport led to another passion -- training for, and participating in, the National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games.
The Transplant Games, held this year in Pittsburgh July 11-16, are a nationwide sporting event for transplant recipients. The event is the only national athletic competition for recipients of all life-saving organ transplants, as well as the largest gathering of transplant recipients and donor families in the world. Sutha will represent Georgia and compete in the 100-meter medley and race-walking.
"The Transplant Games are something that kind of snowballed once I got into it and everyone found out," Sutha says. "One of the many reasons I am participating is to increase awareness among the general public of the critical need for more organ donors. I want to encourage others to think about organ donation and to talk to their families about it."
Now working on MD/PhD degrees with a focus on stem cell and bone regeneration research at Emory University and Georgia Tech, Sutha believes that his work in biomedical engineering ties in with his transplant surgery.
"I was fortunate enough to receive a living donor kidney from my dad, but in Georgia alone, there are more than 1,950 people waiting for a transplant, and someone to give the gift of life," says Sutha. "I want people to know that transplants work and I am a success story. I'm doing well and leading a normal life. In fact I'm doing more now than I would otherwise."
While many medical students were preparing for board exams in 2006, Ken Sutha was already spending plenty of time in the hospital as a patient.
Diagnosed with kidney disease at age 10, Sutha's condition was stable through high school but worsened during college.
"I knew then that I'd have to either go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant," he says.
Sutha received his kidney from his father, Surachai, at Emory University Hospital in April 2006.
After the transplant, he wanted to find more ways to get involved with transplant patients. He become a camp counselor at Camp Independence in Rutledge, Ga., a camp for children diagnosed with kidney disease or with solid organ transplants. Now in his third year as a counselor, Sutha spends one week a summer sharing experiences with other transplant recipients.
He credits fellow counselors and campers with inspiring him to take up swimming on an advanced level, and his dedication to the sport led to another passion -- training for, and participating in, the National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games.
The Transplant Games, held this year in Pittsburgh July 11-16, are a nationwide sporting event for transplant recipients. The event is the only national athletic competition for recipients of all life-saving organ transplants, as well as the largest gathering of transplant recipients and donor families in the world. Sutha will represent Georgia and compete in the 100-meter medley and race-walking.
"The Transplant Games are something that kind of snowballed once I got into it and everyone found out," Sutha says. "One of the many reasons I am participating is to increase awareness among the general public of the critical need for more organ donors. I want to encourage others to think about organ donation and to talk to their families about it."
Now working on MD/PhD degrees with a focus on stem cell and bone regeneration research at Emory University and Georgia Tech, Sutha believes that his work in biomedical engineering ties in with his transplant surgery.
"I was fortunate enough to receive a living donor kidney from my dad, but in Georgia alone, there are more than 1,950 people waiting for a transplant, and someone to give the gift of life," says Sutha. "I want people to know that transplants work and I am a success story. I'm doing well and leading a normal life. In fact I'm doing more now than I would otherwise."
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