David Shashoua’s Story: Home for the Holidays

David Shashoua’s Story: Home for the Holidays

My name is David Shashoua. I’m 55 years old, and thanks to the JGH and the generosity of donors, I am spending the holidays at home with my family.

I was treated at the JGH for a severe drug reaction known as DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms), which developed after I underwent an MRI scan. This past summer, I was accepted into the Hospital@Home program.

If you haven’t heard of it, this program allows eligible patients to be monitored and cared for remotely by healthcare staff in the comfort of their own homes. Thankfully, I met the criteria to be admitted to the virtual ward. I was sent home, and my vitals were monitored remotely. I was given all the tools I needed, which included daily delivery of my medication. Every morning, I checked my heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels and temperature. I shared the information with the nursing team.

At one point, I was even given a battery-powered pump that I carried inside a holster across my shoulder. It was connected to an IV in my arm to deliver antibiotics. The team really gave me everything that was needed to safeguard my health.

For me, being home throughout my treatment and recovery meant everything. It meant I was home every night with my wife and children. It meant I could help with simple chores around the house, walk my dog, and continue to run my company.

For the hospital and our overwhelmed healthcare system, it meant that I wasn’t occupying a bed. A bed that could be used for someone who really needed it.

You can support the healthcare system by helping to fund critical initiatives like the JGH’s Hospital@Home. You can support exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, and forward-thinking innovation at the JGH.

As a patient of Hospital@Home, I learned that this program is funded by donor dollars.

So, when you think about what kind of impact you want to have this holiday season, I hope I can convince you to make a generous gift to the JGH. Your support will help bring patients like me home for the holidays.

Until December 31, your impact will be even greater because the JGH Foundation’s Board of Directors is matching your donation to the JGH annual fund, dollar-for-dollar!* 

That means your donation will have TWICE THE IMPACT!

The JGH is a true trailblazer. It is constantly innovating and bringing new programs to improve the patient experience and to solve some of the most urgent challenges our healthcare system is facing.

A donation to the JGH is an investment in better care, better health, and better outcomes.

This holiday season, please give generously, and your gift will be MATCHED!

David Shashoua
JGH Hospital@Home Patient

*Donations to the JGH annual fund will be matched up to a total of $100,000 until December 31st, 2023.