"We appreciate this stuff," said Julie Quinn, the Voluntary Assistant at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. On Thursday, May 15, 2014, we dropped off two boxes filled with 18 men's hats and 9 shawls at the VA Hospital.
As it has been with most of our donation spots, members in our group are connected to the VA Hospital and have had loved ones treated there.
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| Amy, Aurora, Axel, Josey, Jenn and Tesha (not pictured) make the delivery at the VA Hospital on May 15, 2014. |
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| Julie Quinn - What a lovely lady! |
Julie isn't sure if she's paying it forward or backward. "We had 23 more years with my dad because of the care he got here," Julie said, "and 12 more years with my brother because of the care he got here." She's been an employee there for 18 years, and figures she needs to be there at least 35 years to pay the place back! Recently, her son-in-law was treated at the VA hospital. "I am going to be here forever," Julie said with a laugh.
Julie informed us that items that are red, white and blue are most popular with the vets and their families. We will start collecting red, white and blue yarns, and ask you all later this year to focus on making items in those colors so that we can make another donation to the VA (maybe in December?). Julie noted that shawls and lap blankets are very popular, and they go through many. She encouraged us to make them in large sizes because the laps of veterans aren't small.
"Caregiver stuff is so important," agreed Amy Pass.
There is also a 10-bed hospice facility at the VA campus. "We provide the families with comfort bags," said Julie.
Another
program at the VA provides more support to caregivers within 40 miles
of the VA. Volunteers go to the homes of patients and hang out there so
that the caregiver can get a break.
The arms of the VA stretch out in hundreds of ways. Some of the hats donated through volunteer services wind up heating the heads of young, homeless vets, those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. When they returned, they weren't able to adjust, and now roam the streets.
The radiation treatment at the VA is cutting-edge. When it was purchased, they demanded different equipment than what was being used at the other VAs in the country. Their equipment has a removable piece so that as the area affected by cancer gets smaller, the amount of radiation going in is less and less.
ABOUT THE VA HOSPITAL
According to its web site (http://www.minneapolis.va.gov):
The Minneapolis VA Health Care System hosts one of the
largest and most active research programs in the VA health care system.
There are currently over 160 scientists and investigators conducting 550
research projects. Research projects carried on by these investigators
cover the gamut of human disease with emphasis on brain physiology,
Alzheimer's disease, vascular disease (pulmonary hypertension, abdominal
aneurysms), infectious disease (influenza, urinary tract infections),
diabetes mellitus (basic biochemistry and clinical management),
outcomes-based research (HSR&D) (sexual harassment, tobacco
addiction, PTSD, and polytrauma), heart disease, prostate and colon
cancer, hematologic malignancies, chronic pain, schizophrenia,
addictive disorders, Gulf War syndrome, hepatitis C, traumatic brain
injury, and chemical dependency.
When it comes to cancer, the Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
There are about 30 new patients weekly at the VA. Providers there have approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.
The department has 8 Medical Oncologists, 4 Physician Assistants, 2 Oncology pharmacists, an Oncology Patient Navigation Team consisting of 1 RN and 1 Program Support Assistant, and multiple RNs, LPNs and Clerical staff providing service in the Hem-Onc Clinic (3V) and Oncology Infusion Clinic (3F). In addition, the Oncology Team has a Social Worker, a Dietitian, and an integrated network with Specialty Care services.
The Minneapolis VA Medical Center hosts an annual Cancer Survivor's Day celebration that takes place in the fall.
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| The view from the main lobby is incredible, although it is under construction right now. We could only see what it looks like from the second floor. |
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| A display of flags educates folks on how our national flag has evolved through the years. |
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| The parking lot was full of these. |
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| A puzzle in progress in one of the lobbies. |
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| The Fisher House is like the Ronald McDonald house. While their loved ones are being treated at the VA hospital, family members can stay at the Fisher House for free. We are going to look into donating to them in the future. |
department
has 8 Medical Oncologists, 4 Physician Assistants, 2 Oncology
pharmacists, an Oncology Patient Navigation Team consisting of 1 RN and 1
Program Support Assistant, and multiple RNs, LPNs and Clerical staff
providing service in the Hem-Onc Clinic (3V) and Oncology Infusion
Clinic (3F). In addition, the Oncology Team has a Social Worker, a
Dietitian, and an integrated network with Specialty Care services to
meet your every need. - See more at:
http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf
The
Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care
System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and
laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of
our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient
consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30
new patients weekly, and has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider
visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf
The
Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care
System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and
laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of
our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient
consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30
new patients weekly, and has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider
visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf
The
Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care
System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and
laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of
our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient
consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30
new patients weekly, and has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider
visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf
The
Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care
System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and
laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of
our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient
consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30
new patients weekly, and has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider
visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf
The
Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care
System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and
laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of
our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient
consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30
new patients weekly, and has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider
visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf
The
Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care
System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and
laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of
our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient
consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30
new patients weekly, and has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider
visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf
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