Alan's Story
Alan Stolba of Solon often gets emotional when he talks about his battle with COVID-19 and the Mercy care providers who helped him through it. Alan was critically ill with COVID in the spring of 2020.
“I wasn’t expected to survive, but here I am. They kept at it and never gave up on me. The people at Mercy saved my life,” Alan said.
Admitted on March 20, Alan was the first COVID patient to require hospitalization at Mercy and stayed 27 days with us. Eight of those days were spent on ventilator in a medically induced coma.
Since then, Alan (pictured right) has continued to reach out with acts of appreciation. He stood in the Mercy Bistro for hours on Christmas Eve to personally pay for meals for medical personnel. He has also purchased pizza on several occasions for care teams working on the COVID and inpatient rehabilitation floors.
Alan also donated funds to buy a relaxing neck and back massager for Mercy healthcare workers (shown above being enjoyed by Trent, RN). The massager was placed in a break room on the COVID floor, and Alan was happy to present the massager in person to reconnect with his care providers and show his gratitude.
While Alan is back on the road as a truck driver, some effects of his illness have lingered on. “I tire more easily, and it affected my hearing and eyesight,” he said.
Despite this, he remains positive, and incredibly thankful. “Giving back is good for me; it lifts my spirits and gives me meaning and purpose,” he shared.
Alan isn’t done yet. He plans to keep on giving to show his heartfelt gratitude. He truly believes he owes his progress – and his life – to his amazing care team at Mercy.
“I still think about my caregivers every day,” he said. “I want them to feel remembered and appreciated.”
The Mercy Foundation has created a way for patients like Alan to thank and recognize their care team by making a donation as a grateful patient. Acknowledgement of gifts made in this way are shared with the care providers and departments involved.
Make a grateful patient donation now.
