Donating to Bring Smiles to the Faces of Children

Retired nurse and tonsil cancer survivor Frannie Burgos of Sunbury knew she wanted to do something to make the holidays a bit brighter for children this year.  She pulled together a group of friends and support group team members to help accomplish that goal.

Just before Christmas, Burgos, her husband Rick and sister Angela Furca-Brennan, CRNP, a hospitalist with Integrated Medical Group working at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Schuylkill donated 106 new stuffed animals, mostly teddy bears, to benefit those who may benefit from them most, children. Burgos has no official connection to LVH–Schuylkill but wanted to try to make a difference during this seasonal time of the year. She is a graduate of of the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at LVHN.

The gifts came from Burgos and members of a cancer support group she formed after her 2020 diagnosis, successful treatment and cancer free declaration in late 2022.  “Forming the support group was a way for me to better heal my emotional scars from this journey, hopeful that we could possibly help others as well going forward,” Burgos says.

LVH–Schuylkill distributed the bears to its pediatrics area, the ER and Guest Relations department and enough to share some with LVPG Family Medicine–Schuylkill Medical Plaza (which sees many children in the practice) and LVH–Hazleton.  “My hope is to bring a smile and some happiness to the hearts of ill children during the holiday season and beyond,” says Burgos.

Burgos plans to extend her group’s generosity next year to all of LVHN’s hospitals and possibly other facilities in the region.  She has already talked with representatives of the LVHN Office of Philanthropy regarding her contribution.  The gift of the stuffed animals to LVH–Schuylkill was the group’s first.

“We truly appreciate Mrs. Burgos’s generosity,” says Susan Curry, RN, MSN, Vice President of Patient Care Services. “Hers is a story of courage and compassion.  We are thankful for her donation.”