George Hoglund: "Beverly's Own George Bailey"

George Hoglund has been an integral part of the lives of so many people over the past 59 years (sorry to give away your age, George). From his early days in grammar school at St. Felicitas where he met his wife, Lisa, to the halls of Mt. Carmel High School, to summers spent with the Pitt Players, to working every job under the sun at Midway Airlines, to spending days and nights making sandwiches at his Subway sandwich shop, to caring for thousands of patients at High Tech, to raising his children, Neil and Sara, in Christ the King Parish, George has become part of the fabric of the lives of hundreds of people – some of them acquaintances, but most of them friends. George’s kindness is his calling card – whether he’s just calling to check in, dropping off a gift card, giving someone a ride, or meeting someone for a meal – you can always count on George.

And now, George needs to count on us. What George honestly thought would be a one-week hospital stay post-surgery and then home for Christmas turned into a 77-day odyssey at Christ Hospital. This major heart surgery had several parts, including replacing an old valve and replacing/moving his pacemaker/defibrillator. George suffered serious complications from this necessary but risky heart surgery. He is still recovering from these complications at home as he continues his physical and occupational therapy. As Dr. Earring, his surgeon, remarked, "George, you are a miracle man!"

As George waits to see if he will make a full recovery and be able to return to work his medical expenses have created an additional stressor. As George Bailey says in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” true worth and the value of life is measured by friendship, family, and one’s character.” George Hoglund would be a millionaire if those three things measured his wealth….unfortunately, he is not….and that is where we need you. Please donate to help reduce George's bills due to his extended hospital stay and recovery.