Key Takeaways
- Hospital valet Jon Avery greets patients at a New York cancer center with words of encouragement to brighten their challenging days.
- Breast cancer survivor Kate Fink credits the valet’s uplifting remarks with helping change her mindset during her medical treatments.
- Fink and her colleagues surprised Avery with Buffalo Bills football tickets and a signed jersey to thank him for his ongoing support.
Uplifting greetings at the cancer center doors
At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, patients arriving for difficult treatments are regularly met by the cheerful demeanor of hospital valet Jon Avery. Wearing his Buffalo Bills hat, Avery makes it a priority to offer upbeat encouragement to everyone who walks through the doors, aiming to “have a meaningful encounter that’s not hollow.”
For breast cancer survivor Kate Fink, Avery’s words provided much-needed motivation during her appointments. He would frequently tell her, “You got this.” Over time, the repeated encouragement made a genuine difference for Fink. “Yeah, it’s just your mindset just kind of changes,” she noted.
The valet’s positive influence reaches other visitors as well. Kimberly LaRussa, the founder of Sweet Buffalo, arrived at the center one day feeling discouraged. Avery asked her for a favor, telling her, “You have yourself a good day for me, OK.” His simple request immediately shifted her mood. “I went from frowning to smiling after he said that,” LaRussa shared.
A community gives back to a dedicated worker
When Avery mentioned he was saving his money to attend a Buffalo Bills game, Fink and her colleagues at West Herr Automotive Group stepped in to show their gratitude. The group pooled their resources and made arrangements to surprise the valet with tickets, field passes, and a signed Josh Allen jersey.
Despite the generous gift, the hospital valet remains focused on his daily goal of supporting patients. “I serve people, that’s what I do,” Avery explained. “And if I don’t got nothing else in the world that means anything to anybody, I know I can live in service.”
