The woman walked in with a scarf over her head in a not-so-glamorous attempt to retain her dignity. She was obviously ill. And bald. She had come to Selma Community Hospital (SCH) for counseling to learn how to better control her diabetes. There was no mention of leukemia or the bare garage she and her family of 10 called home. Or their desperate need for food and clothing.

“As winter started to set in, we knew this family was going to need our help,” recalls Pearl DeLeon, director of Community Education and Outreach at SCH, a small rural hospital in California’s Central Valley. “We chose them because the woman of the house was struggling not only to meet the needs of her family, but also to stay alive. I never saw a woman so strong and determined to keep her family together.”

Within a week, DeLeon and her staff delivered much needed clothes, blankets, shoes and food. As Christmas neared, the department pulled together again and gathered even more. When they arrived at the woman’s home, they were greeted with gratitude and smiles. But their mission wasn’t finished.

With the help of the hospital, the family recently relocated to Washington where they found permanent employment and housing. “I just heard from them, and it sounds like they’re doing fine in their new home,” reports DeLeon with a smile. “They were so grateful for our help. I’m just glad we could be a part of their journey.”