From the HEART
GIMC patients get Valentine gifts

Sitting in her hospital bed and holding a balloon and new stuffed animal, Ashley Yanutewa, 5, looks at a hand-made Valentine card Thursday in the pediatrics ward of the Gallup Indian Medical Center. (Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent)

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau

Daryl Walker-Ben, 8, carries an armload of stuffed animals Thursday while visiting the pediatrics wing of the Galup Indian Medical Center. Members of the Native American Youth Coalition brought animals and hand-made Valentine cards to patients at the hospital to help cheer them up. (Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent)

GALLUP — Valentine's Day may be a commercialized conspiracy to increase the profits of greeting card and chocolate companies, but one group took advantage of the occasion to make a few people feel appreciated.

The National Native American Youth Coalition brought balloons, hand-made cards, and stuffed animals to the nurses and patients on Gallup Indian Medical Center's pediatric ward.

The six patients on the ward, from babies to a 70-year old woman, were given a surprise on Thursday as a small group of people made their way from room-to-room leaving behind silver and red balloons, a card, and a smile.

"It helps," said parent Christina Johnson. "It gives us more strength."

Johnson and her husband rotate shifts to be with their two-month old daughter, Summer Benally, as she recuperates. Benally has been on the ward for nearly a week.

Around the corner was 5-year old Ashley Yamutewa who laid in bed with a bandaged arm and wouldn't let go of the stuffed animal she received. And right next door was Elsie Becenti, an elderly woman who had plans to leave the same day.

The coalition gave her a lapel pin and flowers.

"It's nice," Becenti said, "and it makes me feel better."

Nurse supervisor Lori B. Pooacha, a 17-year veteran of Gallup Indian Medical Center, said patients receive the most group visits, such as this one, during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. This was the first, she said, celebrating Valentine's Day.

"This is neat, it's good for the parents," Pooacha said. "It's motivation for both nurses and kids ... they are appreciated."

The coalition brought a vegetable tray and lapel pins for each nurse.

"These are the fun things we get to go with the coalition," said Valerie Walker-Ben, a member of the Gallup-based group. "We wanted to say thanks to the nursing staff for taking great care of our children."

The coalition typically speaks out for Native American youth, elders, veterans, and special-needs people in political arenas.

"The kids came up with the idea," said Gary Ben, president of the coalition. "We never forget our hospital staff."

— To contact reporter Pam Dempsey, call (505) 879-1707 or email pamealgdempsey@msn.com