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July 5, 2009: Hero Provides a Free Lunch

Elise McGrew-Hall Helps Cancer Patients

POSTED: 9:18 am MDT July 16, 2009
UPDATED: 1:50 pm MDT July 17, 2009

Chemotherapy treatments are no fun, but patients here at the Kaiser Permanente Oncology Department in Denver have reason to look forward to their visits.

On the fourth Thursday of every month everyone here -- patients, family, and staff -- gets a free, homemade lunch.

"They love it and I love it. I bring sandwiches and Texas sheet cake, and chips. We have the same menu every month, but everybody likes it," said Elise McGew-Hall.

Elise started the lunch when her husband was a patient at Kaiser. Although he lost his battle to cancer, 15 years later, Elise is still here.

"I told them they can't get rid of me," Elise said.

And no one wants her to stop providing lunch.

Some patients arrange their schedules so they could be around for Elise visits.

"You can just see them light up the moment she shows up. 'Oh, sandwich day!' And they get excited," said Paula Hoshaw, the facility's care coordinator.

Elise insists it's just a small gesture, but patients and staff at Kaiser Permanente say Elise's 15 years of kindness has been some of the best medicine they've received.

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