Crystal is the first nurse I see when returning. She is always in a positive state of mind. No matter how I come in I never leave her without a smile and a positive course for the rest of my day! That is saying a lot considering that I am there for her to put a 1-inch needle into my chest for labs and chemo.

Later that day, I found out that she many times would trade with her co-works as my port was very hard to access. She has come over to imaging when other nurses have tried twice and missed. I watched her walk more than one patient to get a wristband and never once made them feel like they did anything wrong. My wife and two children always worry when I come for treatments as I live in Colorado. I just learned from my kids that after hearing me talk about Crystal and other great staff worry much less knowing I am with people who really care.

I don’t have a lab nurse, I have a lab friend who makes me feel as if I am her only priority. I have heard her co-workers say the most positive things about her while getting chemo. To quote Hellen Keller, “The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart!” Crystal embodies this quote.

The first thing my grandmother taught me to make was cinnamon rolls with raisins. So Patrick and I and the Barns family are on the same page on how to honor great nurses. I will now never forget how this award came about or smell cinnamon rolls the same way again. Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to share with you how much I value my friend Crystal.