"THANK YOU VIRGINIA MASON"

*Click HERE to read "FAMILY MAN'S LEGACY LIVES ON" about this effort!*

THANKS TO YOU - TEAM ROGER DID IT!
$33,891 IN CASH AND CONTRIBUTIONS!

While Roger passed away on September 1, 2007 before we could complete this project, he was actively involved and eager to see its completion as it will benefit future families at the cancer unit. We read every single letter to Roger that came to him and he was so thankful and appreciative of all of you who have already come forward.

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Family, friends, and colleagues of Roger Hussong have come together (since a week before Roger's passing) through the Roger Hussong Initiative to refurbish this cancer ward waiting room to simply say, "Thank You" to the nurses, techs, and physicians of Seattle's Virginia Mason 15th Floor Cancer Ward. While words cannot do enough to show the appreciation our and other families have for these great caregivers, we hope the comforts found in this room will support their work.

These angels deliver care to hundreds of cancer patients each year. Not only do these caregivers make life better for patients diagnosed with cancer, but they also have not forgotten the hardships of families supporting these cancer patients and for this, we say thank you as well. This waiting room is for the use and enjoyment of families, the caregivers that support them, and the patients that work to overcome the challenges of cancer.

To new families confronting cancer, we want to assure you that no matter what the prognosis, you and your loved one are in the best possible medical and caring hands you could hope for in this cancer ward.

- The Roger Hussong Family

PROGRESS REPORT

With each contribution, we kept viewers of this site up to date on our contributions collection progress.

Goals Achieved Between October 2007 and April 2008:

• Our offer has been accepted by the Virginia Mason Foundation!
  
• A Washington Mutual benevolent account has been established to accept contributions via "The Roger Hussong Initiative."
  
• The flat screen television and wall mounts have been contributed!
• The architectural and interior design team has been located!
• As of 09/19/07, thanks to the generosity of AuctionPay, people were able to make online contributions!
  
• On 11/8/07, the wonderful team of designers at a Seattle based anonymous (oh I love coffee) company completed the design boards and 3D imaging of the waiting room!
  
• The cork flooring has been contributed!
• The window treatment and their installation has been contributed!
  
• All furniture fabric / leathers, decorative wrap surfaces have been contributed!
  
• All wall coverings have been contributed!
• On 11/15/2007, the Virginia Mason facilities management team and the Virginia MAson Foundation accepted the design proposal!
  
• As of 1/05/08 $7,041.61 in cash contributions were made to the WAMU Benevolent Account from contributors to www.RogerHussong.org that will be used to purchase furnishings, paint, molding, games, books, and implementation items. PLEASE NOTE: When these online financial contributions are combined with the already contributed flat screen television ($2,000), wall mounts ($200), wall coverings ($1,500), flooring ($3,000), large chairs ($2,200), furniture coverings ($1,800), desk surfaces ($400), window treatment ($750), and architectural and interior design work ($15,000+) that have been received, the total contributed to this campaign comes to $33,891.
  
• Thank you all for your generosity.
  
• Our next steps are coordinating implementation of these materials, as well as the fish tank. We hope to report success soon!
• Dedication of the 15th floor waiting room will occur on April 15, 2008!
  

Roger Used to Say, “Take Me To 15”

These words were uttered more than once from Roger whenever he went to Virginia Mason Seattle. The 15th floor of Virginia Mason Seattle is home to the Peter Canlis Cancer Care Unit and was a major source of relief and comfort for Roger from his diagnosis in September of 2006 until his passing in September of 2007. The great work these nurses, doctors, techs, and administrators do for these patients and their families can hardly be put into words. They are truly angels.

MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS HELD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2007: CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE

While finding words can be tough, we knew we could honor the 15th floor care team, Roger, and give to the hundreds of families and friends that spend countless hours, weeks, and months visiting their loved ones. We did this by “renovating” the current family waiting area. Roger, an avid woodworker and "do it yourselfer" would have liked to have do ne the work, but instead he got help from another set of designer and project manager angels - those at an anonymous worldwide coffee company and the fine folks in facilities management at Virginia Mason.

Our goal was to deliver an improved waiting area in the current 15th floor Canlis Cancer Care Unit facility with new furnishing, flooring, flat screen television, artwork, and a mini-library of books for families and kids to better understand cancer. Clayton Aquaiurms generously gave a new fish tank to keep kids and patients occupied! Our goal was at least $12,000 with a "Championship Goal" of $15,000. Then we realized it was going to take a lot more, despite the small size of the space. As of January 4, 2008, thanks to friends, family, and those "designer barista angels," this initiative blew the doors off that goal and raised over $30,000 worth of cash and materials. That will make anyone say, "Ghaly!"

Over a year's time, hundreds of families hope, pray, wait, bond, cry, celebrate, and enjoy each other's time together in this reception space. From the perspective of a family, putting this initiative together was our way to help and send a thank you to the entire Canlis Cancer Care Unit team for all they have done for us. So, please read this site, read about Roger, and thank your nearest oncology nurse and doctor for all they do!