Wonderful, Amazing People
Date: February 26, 2008

When life comes at you hard, even the little things can be overwhelming, and the smallest acts of benevolence can make the greatest impact.

In January 2007, 32-year-old Tim Carter learned he had non-Hodgkins lymphoma; a large B-cell tumor in his chest cavity threatened his life. Tim, who is on staff at Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, N.Y., was a thousand miles away from his parents, who live in Summerville.

Anita Carter, who works in Floyd’s Emergency Physician Billing department, rushed to New York with her husband, and they were on hand for Tim’s first chemotherapy treatment. Soon, however, they had to return to Georgia to take care of their personal and professional responsibilities. The Carters had just moved to Summerville in June of 2006 from Albany, and their house in Albany hadn’t sold. They were paying two house payments on top of their other living expenses, and the budget was tight. Meanwhile, Tim underwent five additional chemotherapy treatments and a several weeks of radiation.

After a long year of treatment and waiting, and a Thanksgiving without his family, Tim was anxious to see his parents at Christmas. A return trip to New York would be expensive–either $700 for airfare or $400 or more for gasoline, and although Anita had been hired to work at Floyd in July, it didn’t look like a trip to New York would be possible.

That all changed in early December last year.

“My assistant manager, Bonnie McDougal, and a co-worker, Laurie O’Neal, told me that our department usually helps a family with children each year as a Christmas project, buying them toys and clothes,” said Anita. “But my co-workers had suggested that I should be their Christmas project for this year. They wanted to help me get to New York to see my son. I was so overwhelmed by their love and caring.  I just cried and cried.  I had only been an employee of Floyd for five months.”

On December 16, Anita’s co-workers presented her with a card and $430.00 to pay for fuel to New York and back.

The Carters made it to New York for Christmas. Tim’s hair has grown back; he is regaining his weight, and his attitude is fantastic. In April, he’ll have a CT scan to determine whether he is in remission.

In the meantime, Anita and her husband are still marveling about the lesson in generosity she learned from her Floyd co-workers.

“There are only 12 people in my department, yet they gave unselfishly to meet my need.  We truly work with some wonderful, amazing people here at Floyd.  I am so blessed to work in such a great place.”

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