Helping others has always been important to Addison Lang. So when her aunt needed treatment for pancreatic cancer, Addison sprang into action to ensure one of her favorite people and others dealing with the disease received heartwarming support from the community.
Ever since Addison Lang joined the Girl Scouts in kindergarten, she and community service have been inseparable: Addison balancing working hard in school with working hard in her neighborhood. “Just a simple gesture can make someone so happy,” she states. It was this profound commitment to others that would help her handle the stress of learning her aunt had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “I found out when I was in seventh grade; she lives right next door to me,” Addison recalls. “I’m really close to her. I was really there with her every step of the way.”
The shock and uncertainty of the situation brought Addison and her family together, with Addison frequently spending time with her aunt and learning a lot about navigating life with this complex disease. “My aunt passed away but what she experienced had such a big impact on my life.” Inspired by the care her aunt received and her experience helping others, Addison resolved to help those she had met at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley—and get the community involved as well.
Addison added inspiring messages to all the care packages.
“I decided to help NewYork-Presbyterian because I saw what my aunt had to go through,” Addison says, “and I knew that sometimes people don’t have families to support them when going through chemo, and chemo takes a toll on people’s lives.” Addison had witnessed the ways in which pancreatic cancer can affect people’s bodies and self-esteem and was compelled to craft care packages for the patients she knew, each outfitted with beauty and wellness items to boost their joy. “Handing out the baskets … brought so many people so many smiles.” She enlisted classmates and community members to help stock and pass out the baskets, using support from NewYork-Presbyterian and her Girl Scout troop to enhance the scale of the endeavor. “The thing that surprised me the most about working with the Hospital was how active they were to help me put my project in motion because I know they have plenty of other things to worry about.”
Originally intending to hand out care baskets only once, Addison soon realized she would have to assemble more and return for a second visit. The project’s impact was deeply inspiring, as she was able to support so many in her community while venerating someone she loves. “My aunt was one of the strongest people I have ever met. Watching her go through cancer and chemo made me realize how many people don’t have a big, supportive family like she did. So I hope my care baskets put a smile on many people’s faces who aren’t as lucky as my aunt because it’s hard to go through chemo without a support system.”
From left to right: Evelyn Rodriguez Rivard, Administrative Manager; Victoria Vincenzi, RN, Infusion Nurse; William Higgins, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Regional Executive Medical Director; Addison Lang; Carolyn Padial PT, MBA, Director, Cancer Center and Rehabilitation Services; Donna Rosenberg MSN, RN NEA-BC, Director, Nursing; and Pratik Thaker, MPA, CHSP, Vice President of Operations.
Thoughtful and motivated, Addison says the project has reinforced her commitment to giving back. “I definitely think that I will continue doing community service for my community because it makes me feel happy knowing I’m helping someone else.” Addison’s experiences with NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley have also deepened her relationship with her aunt. “This has also bonded us. Being there for her for the whole experience really shaped a different relationship for the two of us—going from her helping me to me helping her and telling me what she needed. The best thing a family member could do for someone who is having health issues is just be there for them and make sure that they know they are not alone.”