News Austin Couple Raises $50,000 for a Good Night's Rest

Austin, Texas - (March 25, 2008) - A gift by an Austin couple will help families and patients enjoy a more comfortable hospital stay.

Last summer, Scott Broberg spent several nights at University Medical Center at Brackenridge recovering from back surgery. His wife, Donna, wanted to stay by his side day and night. The nursing staff found a sleeper chair for her, which provided tremendous comfort. When she found out there were a limited number of these available, she vowed that after Scott was released from the hospital, she would raise enough money to provide a sleeper chair for every patient room.

In just five months, Donna and her husband raised $50,000-enough for 30 chairs. Today, the chairs were dedicated at a special reception on the 9th floor of UMC Brackenridge honoring the Brobergs and the many individuals who made gifts toward the purchase.

"This project was born out of gratitude--gratitude for Scott's successful surgeries, for his skilled surgeons, the excellent care he received from the 9th floor nursing staff, and gratitude that I was blessed to have something to sleep on so that I could be by Scott's side 24 hours a day during his hospitalizations," Donna Broberg said.

"We know that having a family member stay with a patient is in the patient's best interest. Family members are great patient advocates and can help communicate a patient's needs and wants. In particular, having a family member stay at night takes away many fears, for both the patient and the family", said Mary Wright, RN and 9th Floor Clinical Manager, UMC Brackenridge

Broberg raised most of the money through dinner parties she and Scott hosted in their home in Oak Hill. Donna is a former caterer and loves to entertain. The couple decided to use their love for entertaining to share their story with family and friends and ask them to make a contribution.

The Brobergs have been overwhelmed by the support they've received from their family and friends-and from people they've never met.

"I've been amazed at how generous people have been and how enthusiastic they have been with making their donations. I think this has been because every person I've talked to has either been a patient themselves or has been a family member of a patient in the hospital", said Broberg.

Broberg measures her fundraising success 24 hours at a time. "One bed, each night, in each patient room on the 9th floor, will help not only the family member, but the patient, and the nursing staff. Multiply that times 30 beds, 365 nights a year, for many years to come--that's providing help for a lot of people."