Employees August 14, 2008
Employees’ Beams Hoisted, and Now Top Off Smilow Cancer Hospital
For eight hours a day for a week and a half – including one nighttime session – employees bee-lined towards to two beams set up on tables that flanked the entrance to the East Pavilion cafeteria.
They used permanent markers to sign their names, share their good wishes and remember family and friends who had experienced cancer on the beams that will last as long as the building.
On July 23, employees celebrated the Smilow topping off with an ice cream social in the East Pavilion cafeteria where they were able to “construct” ice cream sundaes in
miniature plastic hard hats that served as bowls.
On the afternoon of July 24, after a turbulent day of rains, the skies brightened, just in time for the topping off. The crane gently hoisted four beams – the two signed by employees, one signed by construction workers and one signed by students at Milford’s Meadowside School where six-year-old Nick Branca, a YNHCH patient who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age
three, goes to school.
“These beams, along with all of the steel already in place, symbolize the hope of a new day that is almost within reach,” said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO. “The topping off is a major step that brings us closer to opening Smilow Cancer Hospital – a facility we believe will become one of the top cancer treatment centers in the nation, if not the world.”
“I signed this beam for my cousin who died of breast cancer in her 30s,” said Jerome Salters, specialist, Protective Services, during his evening shift. “I’m glad there’s a campaign for employees because it’s another way for me to give and remember my cousin.”
On the day of the topping off, one patient who was being transported to Diagnostic Radiology (DR) asked about all the activity. When she was told about the celebration marking the progress on Smilow, she immediately insisted on doing her part and gave a $20 bill. “I think the cancer hospital is going to be so important to all of us who live in Connecticut,” the patient told Terese Fritzell, inpatient operations manager, DR Patient Transport, who hand-delivered the patient’s donation to Development.
“Our employees, patients and communities look forward to the day next year when we will open the doors of this magnificent new cancer hospital,” said Borgstrom. “Every donation, regardless of size, is important to making Smilow a resource that will help those who truly need it.”
Article originally appeared in the August 14, 2008 issue of the Bulletin employee newsletter (page 1 and 4)
http://www.ynhh.org/bulletin_archive/2008/081408_bulletin.pdf
