| Photo by MRC Temiscarmingue on Unsplash
Part II of “Human-Interest Stories at Duke Cancer Institute” Series
This columnist met many “A.N.G.E.L.S.” in 14 weeks, nearly three times per week, when he and his spouse accompanied their son, who was being treated at Duke Cancer Institute (DCI). He coined the acronym that means “America’s Newest Givers of Empathy, Love, and Support.” Or just Angels as a moniker.
It seemed that the term “Angels” became popular among Duke medical staff, non-medical staff, volunteers, other workers at food courts or canteens, and parking attendants whom this columnist interacted with. Yes, especially when he thanked them for doing a public service. And participating in doing “medical miracles”, as described in this column article, “It Takes More Than a Village for Medical Miracles to Happen”. It was published on February 8, 2026, as Part VI of the “Cancer/Medical Moonshot” series.
This columnist even thanked Duke janitors for their public service. Not too many visitors to Duke Hospital and its many medical buildings probably give thanks to them. Often, they were surprised and sincerely gave their appreciation for the compliment. This wordsmith told them that they keep not only the floors but also the entire medical facilities clean and dandy. He told some of them that Duke should change their job description to “floor managers”. This remark elicited some laughs and smiles from them.
Usually, this columnist was assigned to drive his son to DCI on Wednesdays. The four other working days were given to volunteer drivers from St. Mother Teresa Catholic Church of Cary, NC, where his son is a parishioner and usher at its masses or religious events. But when the weather was not sunny, this author usually accompanied the volunteer driver, as it would be hard for the latter to fetch the wheelchair the patient needed for his check-up or radiation treatment at the DCI. Yes, especially when it was raining, and even valet parking was hard to do.
“He also served as a morale booster for the DCI patients, especially those who use wheelchairs. He tells them not to give up hope, as his daughter-in-law was also treated at the DCI for four Stage-4 cancers in 2003. She survived and is back at her work. She was also aided by the Duke and St. Mother Teresa Church, Angels.”
Parish volunteers also deliver a meal on working days for the patient and his (or her) family, when needed. Lay ministers and the parish priest also take turns in giving communion to the patient and his kin at his residence. Thus, this columnist dubbed them “Mother Teresa’s Angels”, too.
Usually, this writer handed to some Duke workers, volunteers, and even patients, as well as visitors (and the “Angels”, too, from St. Mother Teresa that aided his son), his business card as a columnist of the Philippine Daily Mirror (PDM). And to keep them. Why? The columnist said that when his upcoming book, Cancer/Medical Moonshot, comes off the press, any cardholder could email the author to request an autographed, complimentary copy. Then it would be mailed to them. He will arrange for his literary patrons to subsidize the giving of said complimentary books.
In his nearly 15-week stay in North Carolina, this columnist distributed more than 300 PDM business cards. He also served as a morale booster for the DCI patients, especially those who use wheelchairs. He tells them not to give up hope, as his daughter-in-law was also treated at the DCI for four Stage-4 cancers in 2003. She survived and is back at her work. She was also aided by the Duke and St. Mother Teresa Church, Angels. He also gave some of them his business cards with the same message: a complimentary copy of his upcoming book.
There is one apparent benefit of this columnist wearing the Chicago White Sox baseball cap. It would not be surprising if some cancer patients acquired said cap. Probably because this storyteller told some of his new acquaintances that during the nights when his son could not sleep and was moaning (from cancer pain) from time to time, his Dad would place the Sox cap near the sofa on the ground floor of the living room where he slept. Then he would do his usual brisk walking exercise in the dining room while saying prayers for his son. Whether it was a coincidence or not, the patient-son calmed down and soon fell soundly asleep.
Again, here is the author wearing the (unofficial) papal baseball cap, as shown at this link. However, baseball fans would probably opine that a greater miracle for Pope Leo XIV would be to make the Sox the American League champion this season. But perhaps medical (and baseball) miracles never cease to happen?
