Blake was nominated by a family transitioning to hospice care. The family wrote that Blake had been with the patient for three very difficult days. The patient's wife wrote that Blake was instrumental in assuring the process to hospice was smooth. "My daughter and I are in a much better place emotionally due to Blake's support and comfort through both his words and actions."

Another patient's family was present at the DAISY Award presentation and shared their own nomination recognizing Blake's extraordinary compassion and faith-driven service. The family described how Blake cared for their loved one while he was critically ill in the ICU and on a ventilator. When doctors initially planned to remove the breathing tube the following week, the family requested one additional day. Blake expressed his hope to be present when the moment came. "He said, 'I'm off tomorrow, but I want to see this through. '" Blake was present that day when the tube was successfully removed. "Blake is a nurse who truly works from his heart, and the compassion he shows is something that cannot be taught."