Bob and Betsy Holland are giving back to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in the name of a tragedy that is every parent's worst nightmare.
Kenneth Brooks Holland was the type of son parents dream about. A 1988 graduate of Downers Grove South High School, Holland was captain of the football and basketball teams and a National Honor Society member, who followed in his parents' footsteps by attending their alma mater - DePauw University in Indiana.
But tragedy struck just as Kenneth was getting started. The summer before his sophomore year, Kenneth was involved in an automobile accident that left him hospitalized for three weeks in a trauma center in Chicago before passing away.
Without comfortable chairs in the waiting rooms, they had to sleep on the floor just to be near their son. Bob and Betsy Holland understand the importance of a family-friendly environment and caring medical staff.
In the 19 years since Kenneth's death, Bob and Betsy have dedicated themselves to preserving their son's memory in the name of family care. First in conjunction Advocate Hope Children's Hospital with a playroom named in Kenneth's honor, and now through a new oncology unit at Good Samaritan Hospital.
A dedication ceremony was held Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Good Samaritan Hospital to debut plans for the Kenneth Brooks Holland Oncology Unit.
"A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family," said Paula Timmerman, director or oncology at Good Samaritan Hospital. "There's not only the stress of the diagnosis, but stress as people face a potential chronic, life-ending illness.
"The new oncology unit was designed to make the hospital experience more comforting for both the patient and their loved ones as they go through this very difficult time," she said.
The Kenneth Brooks Holland Oncology Unit will feature six private and six semi-private patient rooms. Each room will have an alcove for family members with comfortable seating and separately controlled lighting and television.
"Sometimes patients need rest or quiet and family members still want to be at their side without causing a disruption to the patient," Timmerman said.
More family comforts include two waiting areas - one equipped with a fireplace and another with private showering facilities. A kitchenette is planned for those who may want to bring in their own food or eat together rather than in a patient room. An outpatient chemotherapy area is included in the plans. No date has been set for construction.
Current patients, along with the Hollands, were consulted on design aesthetics, which will be set to neutral earth tones and will incorporate natural materials.
The newly designed unit is funded in part by the Hollands' charitable lead unitrust - a planned giving vehicle.
In addition to their generous gift to support the hospital, Betsy volunteers as an auxiliary member and Bob as a member of the governing council.
The Hollands, along with their good friends Richard and Patricia Mochel, will be honored as this year's Good Samaritans of the Year during the hospital's 2009 Festival: French Quarter Ball. For sponsorship information or to purchase tickets, call 630-275-6518.
