Give Hope. Spread Joy.

Now through midnight, Dec. 31, UF Health is holding its annual end-of-year giving campaign, “Give Hope. Spread Joy,” which asks donors to consider making a donation to the nonprofit academic health care center. Along with a gift, donors are encouraged to include a message that will be shared with the patients, faculty and staff members spending the holidays in the hospital.

Those notes touch many patients and staff members, lifting their spirits during the holiday season. Dana Viviano, R.N., nurse manager, UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital Unit 5E, writes:

“I wanted to extend a personal thank you for Giving Hope and Spreading Joy during the holidays.

I am the nurse manager for Unit 5E at the UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital. We are the gastrointestinal surgical oncology unit that provides care to patients before and after their surgical procedures. The staff on 5E often witness how an acute health care crisis impacts families over the holiday season.

Because of the severity of their illness, many of our patients will need to undergo lifesaving surgical interventions over the holiday season. These patients and their families experience a different holiday season without the traditional meals or family moments. Our unit is proud to provide empathetic care and bring hope to so many undergoing treatment for these serious and complex illnesses.

We want you to know that we do our best to capture the magic of the holidays at UF Health, and try to ensure that every patient has the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends while they are with us, their 5E family.

I am proud to be their nurse manager. My sincere gratitude for each of you for the hope and joy you give to our patients, their families and our staff during this time of year.”

Gifts made during this year’s campaign will support the UF Health Heart & Vascular and Neuromedicine Hospitals, UF Health Cancer Center, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital as well as the greatest needs of UF Health. This includes lifesaving medical equipment, groundbreaking studies and essential patient care programs that impact the future of patient care.

The “Give Hope. Spread Joy.” campaign is in its third year and marks the end of the holiday giving season. Last year’s campaign resulted in nearly 300 messages that expressed well wishes and holiday greetings.

“For over 50 years, [UF Health] Shands has been my hospital of choice,” wrote one donor. “I am alive and healthy because of you and my excellent primary doctor. Keep your tradition of excellence and concern for people and details.”

Another wrote, “Sorry to hear you are in the hospital! Sending you healing thoughts and warm wishes to brighten your day during your stay.”

Gifts may be made at giving.UFHealth.org/givehope.