" It was something small, but it made me feel normal again."
How Make-A-Wish ® Helped Duncan Serve Comfort
Duncan ready to give back to patients.
When Duncan was receiving treatments for leukemia at UPMC Children’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the worst part, he says, was“ that I couldn’ t really eat the food I wanted to eat.” Hospital meals quickly grew monotonous, and treatments diminished his appetite. He found himself craving specific foods at odd hours, sometimes long after the cafeteria closed or for dishes it didn’ t have.
Duncan found that one of the few things that helped him feel“ himself” during treatment was eating food from outside the hospital. His family drove all over town to find whatever he was craving.“ Not every family is able to do that, and I never forgot that.”
" It was something small, but it made me feel normal again."
-Duncan, wish kid
So, when the time came for Duncan to meet with Make-A-Wish and talk to his wish volunteers, he knew he wanted to use his wish to bring comfort to kids just like him. Together, Duncan and Make- A-Wish ® Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia helped launch Duncan’ s Diner, a fund through UPMC Children’ s Hospital Foundation to provide hospitalized pediatric patients on the oncology floor with meal delivery gift cards.
Wish Coordinator, Sydney Lyden, gives
Duncan gift cards for meal deliveries.
Today, Duncan is in complete remission and is continuing his work with Duncan’ s Diner, making sure children in the hospital can order their special meal and feel a sense of normalcy.
Referrer: Christina Cafro
Volunteers: Amy Aikins and Shane Sarver
2
Donor: Sheetz For the Kidz™