A few minutes later, the group arrived at their destination. Bill got out of the cab and grabbed his cane so he could open the door for them. Brooke, a scrub tech at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, who just returned from Operation Walk Utah in El Salvador, and Sam, an admin at Total Joint Orthopedics, were the last two out of the cab. They noticed that Bill had a cane and asked him why. He explained that he had no cartilage in his right hip but can't afford insurance to pay for surgery. Brooke and Sam immediately told him about Operation Walk USA and the national day of surgeries that was upcoming through Operation Walk Utah and Hofmann Arthritis Institute.
Sam followed up with Bill to make sure he had an appointment for the following Monday. Two days before his birthday, Bill received the call from Operation Walk Utah that his screening had gone well and he had been chosen to receive a new hip!
Bill, Brooke, and Sam in Pre-Op (bow-tie courtesy David, who made Co-ban bow-ties for the male patients and flowers for the female patients).
This morning, Brooke (who is volunteering today for Operation Walk USA) and Sam came to Pre-op to visit with Bill before his surgery. Bill was relaxing with his girlfriend, Nancy. The two have been together since 1999, but apart for the last year and half while Nancy cares for her parents in Chicago. When she learned of the surgery, Nancy jumped on a train to be with Bill.
"This is life-changing," Bill said. "This will bring me back to activities I have not been able to do."
"That was the best part of our evening, meeting you," said Sam. "You were the best fare I've had in a long time. I'm glad I had those Cheetos!" replied Bill.
