Peggy Mestemacher, BSN, RN, CPHON

Peggy and Maddie facilitated a meet and greet date between two patients. Peggy's patient is a new patient at St. Jude. This patient's Christmas wish was to make a new friend at St. Jude so she would not feel so alone. Peggy took it upon herself to find another patient the same age to create a bond. Maddie’s patient was the same age and gender and had similar interests. Peggy and Maddie went to Starbucks, got them their favorite drinks, and set up bracelet-making in the teen room. Not only did the patients bond, but the parents also felt an instant connection. When the patients started talking, they asked each other about their diagnoses and their experiences. They both became tearful, and one of the patients asked if she could pray for them, so they held hands and prayed before they started making their bracelets. Maddie and Peggy created an opportunity for a lifelong bond for these patients and their families.