Brandy
Vandeborne
November 2011
Brandy
Vandeborne
,
RN
Same Day Surgery/PACU
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

Brandy met Zack the first time when he came in through the OR, the family needed directions home and since Brandy was familiar with that part of the state, she wrote them directions and added her phone number in case they were lost and needed additional help. The family quickly bonded with Brandy and during the numerous trips battling Zacks cancer, they discovered they shared a love for the pizza in Zacks hometown.
One evening after an extended stay, Brandy stopped by and brought a pizza to the family since they did not make the drive home that week. Brandy then went above and beyond and called a local radio station when Zack was discharged and she shared Zack's story with the DeeJays who then donated tickets for his favorite country singer and back stage access during the show. The family invited Brandy to be their guest at the Harrison County Fair to watch the tractor pulls, as a surprise Zack was given a $50,000 pulling tractor (that all monies and parts were donated) named "Survivor" that he gets to pull at fairs.
Brandy quoted to me, "I do as much as I can to maybe make him being here a little easier. I wish that I could help every one of these kids we get through here. I can’t imagine what it’s like for these patients and their parents. Zack and his family are very special to me and they always will be but I don't feel like the things I have done are a big deal, I would do it for anyone!"
And ZACK is now Cancer free!