There is a young patient on our unit who is in end-stage heart failure and awaiting a heart transplant. Unfortunately, due to this patient's condition, she has to remain hospitalized in our ICU, unable to go home.

Additionally, she has a cardiac device called a "balloon-pump" which requires her to lie flat-- unable to sit up, bend her legs, or walk. She has been on our unit for a month, and we cannot predict when a heart will be available. We have had patients in similar positions wait for multiple months, and the patient is aware of this possibility. So, when her 21st birthday was coming, she was undoubtedly sad to be spending such a momentous occasion in the ICU and unable to move.

Andy took the initiative to plan an entire birthday party for her. She decorated the patient's room and door extravagantly, bought a card and had the whole staff sign it, and got permission to lift visitor restrictions. The patient even had a therapy dog visit her.

Thanks to Andy's compassion, a day that would have been wrought with sadness turned into an unforgettable 21st birthday.