Merman was kind enough to send us some background information on his wish:
6 lounging chairs for the Corvallis Cancer Radiation Center
My first wife was diagnosed with and passed away from Cancer several years ago. While she was undergoing treatment, there were times when it was hard just to get through the treatments. Chemo, and radiation in varying degrees can take a real toll on a person’s well being as you might well imagine. Recently, I had occasion to frequent a waiting room for Cancer patients of all types, breast cancer, bone cancer, and many more too numerous to mention. Did you know that there are more than 300 different types of cancer and that they all have different methods to try and control/stop them? I had some conversations with some of the patients waiting for their treatments, some had to come some distance and would arrive a bit early for their treatments requiring that they wait some time. Those that had had several treatments were many times very tired and not really feeling that great. It occurred to me that anything that can be done to make waiting more bearable should be done. The idea of lounge chairs, that would enable people to “put up their feet” while they wait for yet another treatment that would probably make them feel worse before better would be a kindness that could not be measured except by the smiles and contentment of those using them. The chairs they have now are ok, but they are simple upright chairs that don’t make it possible to really get comfortable while waiting. Some patients must come back for as many as 40 treatments sometimes waiting 20 - 30 minutes for their turn! I’m very humbled by how well they “get on with it” , the endurance and patience that they exhibit, and how they encourage each other to get through the process. Knowing that they have a “comfortable” chair to relax in while waiting for treatment is a “luxury” that is not an expense that can be borne by the clinic, but would seem to be an ideal wish for the Robin Hood Fund.
I love that Merman took such a personal experience and made it into a wish that could really benefit others. He has definitely embraced the spirit of Robin Hood and the Sherwood Forest.
Thank you for sharing your story with us Merman,
Maid Marian
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