Vivienne Stearns-Elliott: Talk about Random Acts of Kindness!

Vivienne Stearns-Elliott, American Cancer Society Communications Director, shared on LinkedIn:

“Talk about Random Acts of Kindness! These Hope Lodge Baltimore guests endowed a guest room for the future expanded Hope Lodge that will serve more cancer patients travelling to Baltimore. Though it’s exceptional for guests to have the resources for this type of support, every bit counts no matter the amount! Here’s the story:

Ervin Stutzman, a lung cancer patient from Harrisonburg, VA, being treated for a rare type of lung cancer at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, was so grateful for his stay at Hope Lodge Baltimore, that he and his wife made a very generous donation to the future, larger, reimagined Hope Lodge, endowing one of 34 guest rooms. The future Hope Lodge will have 8 more guestrooms than the present one, where Ervin and Bonnie stayed.

‘It is quite a drive from our home to Johns Hopkins Bayview – over 3 hours,’ said Ervin. The Stutzmans had two possible lodging options in Baltimore and decided to try out one night at Hope Lodge. ‘We were very grateful and impressed by Hope Lodge and registered to stay for three weeks. We’ve lived in communities with other people in the past, so we’re used to a communal atmosphere. Hope Lodge fulfilled all those longings for us,’ said Ervin, a retired minister and professor. ‘The offering of joint meals gave us an opportunity to speak with other guests. We had lovely conversations. During our first week, my wife immediately struck up a friendship with the spouse of a cancer survivor whom she spent lots of time with, and they’ve stayed in touch afterwards.’

Ervin, a nonsmoker, has non-small cell ALK positive lung cancer and sought treatment in Baltimore with Dr. Vincent Lam, a national expert in the disease. ‘Eighty-five percent of ALK positive lung cancer patients are not smokers,’ said Ervin, who has been an avid exerciser and biker all his life. He was diagnosed after developing a cough and shortness of breath that he thought was a viral infection. Because his symptoms developed during the pandemic, he could not see a doctor immediately. A chest x-ray eventually led to his diagnosis.

‘The Hope Lodge staff is very respectful of guests and very interactive,’ said Ervin. ‘I far prefer a place that’s very interactive to staying in a hotel room, which would have been especially difficult for my wife as my caregiver.
The Stutzmans enjoyed doing puzzles and other activities with other guests at Hope Lodge and were there when the R.A.K.E. (Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere) tour with Ricky Smith hosted a dinner and magic show.”

Source: Vivienne Stearns-Elliott/LinkedIn