2007 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award Top National Winner – LPN/ LVN Category

Award Nomination

I feel compelled to tell you about a very special person whom I believe is very deserving of this recognition. Her name is Maggie Stewart. I've known Maggie for over 30 years. We met while working at our local community hospital and Maggie would come and help out on the nursing unit where I worked. Over the years we have worked together off and on until about five years ago, Maggie transferred into the department where I was working and we were re-united again and very happy to be working together once more. During our working careers Maggie and I have become not only co-workers, but also friends.

Shortly after we began working together again, my husband became very ill with renal failure. My friend Maggie was always there with her love, support, words of encouragement and prayers. (Anyone who comes into contact with Maggie can always feel her sincere love.) The longer I worked with Maggie I noticed how much love and support she would give to all her patients, their family members and everyone around her. The patients' that she cares for always feel that they are most important and that she has all the time in the world to give them whatever is needed. She goes above and beyond to be an advocate for all patients. Not only do the patients love and request her, but also her co-workers, physicians and many other hospital staff love Maggie.

I personally know Maggie's generous and giving spirit first hand. Knowing my husband's situation, Maggie could not just sit by; unknown to me, she sought out information about transplantation and contacted a transplant coordinator to have herself tested as a possible living kidney donor for my husband. I will never forget the day that Maggie came and told me she wanted to donate a kidney to my husband, she told me, " I have two and I only need one". Well, I just about fell on the floor, what a selfless gift! Well the transplant date came with absolutely amazing results for my husband - it has been two and a half years since the transplant and he is able to do everything and more - the quality of his life is such a blessing. Unfortunately things did not go as well for Maggie. She had some major complications shortly after the transplant surgery and was not able to return to her nursing career for over 13 months. During this time Maggie endured much pain, suffering and hardship all with a smile on her face and a song in her heart - never a complaint. She exhibits such grace, strength, courage, and such a joyful spirit. After many, many months of surgeries, treatments and much recovery time, Maggie was able to return to work and is now once again blessing our department with her joyful spirit and smiling face.

Through this journey, Maggie believed that all things happen for a reason and during her long recovery she would talk about how she might help others that were in need during difficult times. Maggie came up with the idea that she has initiated called comfort blanket. She hand makes all the blankets and inscribes them with a spiritual message specific for the person that will receive the blanket. She also hand writes a personal note of encouragement that is given with each blanket and then personally delivers the blanket. Most of the people that receive these "comfort blanket" are seriously ill, terminally ill, or are having a very difficult time in their lives. By word of mouth, Maggie has received request for her blankets form as far away as Florida and the Carolina's and she always makes sure the requests are granted. Everyone who receives Maggie's nursing care goes far beyond the walls of our hospital. Maggie is truly the essence of courage, strength, goodness, kindness, selfless giving, a most amazing person who has touched countless lives in very amazing ways.

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