"I give to Saint Mary's Hospital because it just feels right."

Michael Gay is recovering from open heart surgery. Twice a week, he returns to Saint Mary’s Hospital to participate in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. What makes his story unusual, however, is that he chooses to come to Saint Mary’s for his care even though he lives 20 miles away, in Torrington.

“Saint Mary’s is not the closest hospital to my home, but I choose to keep going back because of the care I get there,” the 67-year-old says. “The people are amazing.”

“I can’t do enough for Saint Mary’s Hospital,” he proclaims with a smile. “The doctors, the nurses – the entire staff – are simply a fantastic team and I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.”

Since retiring from the state Department of Transportation, Michael says he’s had his share of ups and downs. In 2006, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A year later, he suffered an aneurism and later, a serious blood infection that landed him in the hospital for 11 days. Following a year of good health, a routine echocardiogram last fall revealed Michael needed open heart surgery.

“I never questioned having the surgery at Saint Mary’s,” he says. “My cardiologist, Dr. Paul Kelly, my surgeon, Dr. Paul Preissler, and their teams are fantastic. You couldn’t ask for better care. I really owe where I am today to all of them.”

Michael lives on a fixed income and admits that it’s difficult to give. “I support Saint Mary’s because of the care that I get there. From the doctors to the nurses to the orderlies, Saint Mary’s is it. It’s like there’s something in the back of my mind that says ‘give the money to Saint Mary’s.’ It feels right.”

Saint Mary’s Hospital celebrates its centennial birthday “100 Years of Caring” this year. We remain true to our founder’s vision to provide quality health care without regard to income status.

Financial support from patients like Michael – who appreciate the expert medical care they receive from the compassionate professionals at Saint Mary’s – enables the hospital to continue serving our community. Please use the enclosed envelope and join Michael by sending your gift to Saint Mary’s Hospital today.

As Michael commented, “Every penny counts in supporting Saint Mary’s Hospital. Every little bit helps.”