UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute receive care packages thanks to 10-year-old girl from Shaler
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Cardiac patients at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute were surprised with bright, colorful care packages, a grass-roots mission of compassion and kindness spawned by a tenacious 10-year-old from Shaler.
Isabella Ludwig's grandfather had open-heart surgery at UPMC Passavant two years ago, and she recognized the isolation and loneliness that he experienced as a patient in a hospital during the pandemic.
She had the idea of stuffing tote bags with all kinds of goodies, like puzzle books, candy, pillows, combs, toothbrushes and more. She and her family delivered the bags, and caretakers at the hospital helped deliver them.
"They're really trying to do their best to help you," Ludwig said. "And something small can make somebody's day, make them a little bit happier while they're in there."
All of the bags include a personal note from Ludwig explaining why the distribution was so important to her and her grandfather.