TRINITAS AND ONEGIFT GRANT WISH TO COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
Cancer Survivor Enjoys Andrea Bocelli Concert

Patricia Lopez has helped others for more than 20 years, heading up the Union County Toys for Tots Campaign and the County’s food pantry. Now it is time for Pat to let others help her.

A resident of Elizabeth who is battling brain and lung cancer, Patricia is the first recipient of a gift from OneGift, Inc. and Trinitas Regional Medical Center, where she has been undergoing treatment for the last two years. The OneGift organization helps make dreams come true for adults with cancer.

At first, Pat wanted to use her gift to help buy toys for the Toys for Tots effort. After being told that the gift must benefit her, Pat asked for tickets to an Andrea Bocelli concert at the Meadowland’s IZOD Center. Pat and her family received 10 tickets, plus a pre-show dinner.

The presentation to Pat took place during her scheduled cancer treatment at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center in Elizabeth. She praised the physicians and staff at the Center, declaring, "Drs. William Kessler and Lisa Henson are brilliant physicians, and they’re the reason I’ve been able to keep going for the last two years."

Cheryl Wachtel, Registered Dietician, and Grisela Hidalgo, Clinical Social Worker, at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, submitted Pat's name for consideration for a OneGift wish. As Cheryl explains, "Pat is such a giving person. She’s someone who is always smiling despite what’s going on in her life. When she’s here and she’s between appointments or procedures she uses her time to make scarves for the staff. We all love her!" Grisela agrees, describing Pat as someone who maintains a consistently positive attitude despite "going through a challenging period in her life. She gives so much to our community, now it's her turn to receive something nice."

Pat is shown (center) with well-wishers from the Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center staff and Nadine Brechner, Executive Director of the Trinitas Health Foundation (left), who all shared in the delight of the OneGift presentation.

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About Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC), a major center for comprehensive health services for those who live and work in Central New Jersey, is a Catholic teaching medical center sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in partnership with Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation. With 10 Centers of Excellence across the continuum of care, Trinitas has distinguished itself in cardiology, cancer care, behavioral health, renal care, nursing education, diabetes management, wound healing and sleep medicine.

Posted: December 10, 2009

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