When our son entered the world of pediatric hematology/oncology, our lives changed instantly. On one of our very first days, the team on the 10th floor introduced us to a nurse named Jodi, “Gentle Jodi,” they called her, and they told us she would become an important part of our lives going forward. I didn’t quite understand it at the time, but looking back, those words couldn’t have been more true.

From the very beginning, we discovered that our family shared several of the same names as Jodi’s, and we joked that we must be related. In a place where everything felt overwhelming and unfamiliar, that small connection instantly made her feel like family, someone we could trust right away.

Even though our son was in active treatment for 851 days, the journey doesn’t end when treatment ends. We still have five years of follow-ups, tests, and fears that can come rushing back with the smallest trigger. Through every stage, treatment, recovery, and now survivorship, Jodi has remained a steady, reassuring presence.

Our son went through countless sedations, many tests, blood and platelet transfusions, lumbar punctures, and medications that required premeds and careful monitoring. Every single procedure involved needles, IVs, or other interventions that would be scary for any child and often just as stressful for parents. But Jodi has a remarkable gift for taking those moments and making them feel less frightening. Her calm voice, gentle movements, and clear explanations always helped him feel safe and supported.

She didn’t just care for him medically; she cared emotionally. She paid attention to the little things, details many might forget, and she remembered our conversations from appointment to appointment. That kind of presence and memory is rare, and it made us feel truly seen.

When a pre-med for a medication contained artificial dyes, something we try to avoid, Jodi let me step out to get the version we were comfortable with, while she stayed with my son, keeping everything calm and safe.

Beyond moments like this, she notices the small things that make him feel secure, like letting him choose the order of steps in a procedure, remembering favorite blankets or distractions, and adjusting her approach to meet his needs. Those little touches turn frightening moments into manageable ones and show the depth of her care.

When we get to the clinic, my son always looks for Jodi. Even on days when he’s anxious, tired, or uncomfortable, he relaxes the moment she arrives. She understands his cues without needing explanation and meets him exactly where he is. Her presence changes the whole experience; things feel calmer, smoother, and more manageable.

When Jodi is caring for him, appointments go more smoothly, and the entire process feels less overwhelming for all of us.

Jodi didn’t just care for my son during 851 days of treatment, she continues to care for him, and for us, through every follow-up, every test, and every worry. Her impact didn’t end when treatment ended; it carries forward into our daily lives, our peace of mind, and our healing.

Jodi is not only a blessing to our family, but to every child, parent, and colleague she cares for. Her presence, compassion, and dedication make a profound difference every day, and it’s clear she was placed in this work to touch lives in a special way.

Words can’t fully express what she means to our family, but this nomination is our attempt to honor the nurse who made one of the darkest, most terrifying journeys of our lives feel survivable.

Jodi is, without question, a DAISY nurse and a blessing from God.