The only thing you have is right now, and today is a real gift.

When Teresa Getman would accompany her mom to medical appointments at Bronson South Haven, she watched as staff members did their best to find a viable vein on her mom to provide care. “When she was ill and dehydrated was when it was the worst,” says Teresa. “They could barely get the needle in and it was very painful for her.” When her mom was experiencing atrial fibrillation (AFib), she needed to go to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. “They couldn’t find her vein right away either, so they brought in a machine to help find a viable vein much easier and without pain. I said, what is that machine? I want to get one for Bronson South Haven!”

Getman was connected with Bronson Health Foundation where she offered to fund the vein finder technology as a gift to the hospital and for other members of the South Haven community. “I wanted it for everyone, for both the patients and the staff. I know it can’t be easy for the staff either when it is difficult to find a vein to provide care to patients.”

The gift is an example of a greater philosophy that Getman tries to live by. “I believe the only thing you have is right now, and today is a real gift,” says Getman. “I want to do as many good things as I can before I leave here. Tomorrow is not promised.”