I would like to submit a "better late than never" DAISY Nomination. This is hard to write but long overdue. Many years ago, I spent a long time in pediatric hospital units in Duluth, Minnesota. My memory and concept of time during that chapter is fuzzy, but as a kid, it felt like an eternity.

My brother and I were in a car accident that unfortunately took the lives of our mom, dad, and big sister instantly. My brother was my best friend, and at least we made it through the accident together. He just hit his head, and I broke everything on the left side of my body. In a devastating turn of events, he died about four days after the accident. He died a hero, donating the gift of life to many people with organ donations.

During my hospital stay, I had many wonderful nurses and doctors who went above and beyond. I was told that a special nurse named Amy had never left my side and picked up extra shifts to take care of me. She stuck with me and was there when I woke up in different rooms. She was there when relatives couldn't be there. I am told the nurses arranged for me to hold my brother's hand before he died. They made me a plaster print of my brother's hand to hold, which I've brought with me through every move and still cherish over 25 years later. They arranged for unforgettable, happy moments during my time in the hospital, including visits from the UMD Men's Hockey Team, Kirby Puckett, and many local Hockey teams.

Though this chapter was a painful blur full of many surgeries, feeding tubes, and blackouts, one thing was very clear: the team who took care of me and my brother really cared about us. Thank you to Amy and the caregivers who helped me have time with my brother. Thank you for trying to save him. Thank you for helping him to help others. Thank you for saving my life.