Keri Campbell, an ALS Association of Georgia volunteer, lost her mother-in-law to ALS in March of 2007. As difficult as the prognosis was for her family, the distance between them, Ohio to Georgia, was even harder. The matriarch of the Campbell family had been determined that when, not if, she got better she would be a spokesperson for ALS nationally. She also planned on continuing to volunteer for organizations like the ALS Association of Ohio and the Red Cross.
This devastating loss for the Campbell family hit hard, and Keri knew she had to in some way carry on the legacy her mother-in-law had so desperately strived to achieve. In April, Keri was matched through our Volunteer Program with Suzanne Goldberg, a retired DarlingtonSchoolteacher. Suzanne experienced symptoms of ALS in early in 2002, but was not diagnosed until earlier this year. With her husband, a veterinarian, working, and with most of her family in South Africa, Suzanne found a Visiting Volunteer to be the answer to many of her needs.
Suzanne says about her friend Keri, “I admire her because she is so busy, and yet still has time to spend with me. She always stays positive and is a wonderful friend to have. We have so much fun together.”
Keri and Suzanne have spent many afternoons together catching up on each other’s lives and sharing new memories they both treasure. Keri bought Suzanne a bouquet of flowers for Mother’s Day and helped deliver equipment to her home. The pair also hopes to take a shopping trip later in the summer.
Keri says that “Every time I visit, Suzanne thanks me her helping but actually I think she's helping me more than I am helping her.”
It is obvious the situation has been beneficial for both parties and Keri says she cannot express enough, “how glad I was to hop on the opportunity to meet Suzanne. I was initially signing up to volunteer for administrative duties, or assisting with marketing and promotions with events. Being that my mother-in-law passed not too long ago, I wasn't quite sure if I would be able to do the patient services so soon after. However, I think fate brought us together and I can't imagine not having Suzanne in my life. She is a wonderful lady, and I would encourage other volunteers to participate in the Visiting Volunteer Program as well. It's a friendship that I can't imagine not having.”
