Special gifts to help COVID patients

DALLAS, Tex. (KSNB) - Treating COVID-19 patients is more than just caring for their illness. For one Texas doctor, it’s about filling them with hope that they’re not alone.

It’s one way that Dr. Jyothi Rereddy isn’t your ordinary doctor.

“I start thinking about what can we do to maybe help these patients have some hope,” said Rereddy.

Moved by the increasing number of COVID-19 patients forced into isolation during their hospital stay, Dr. Rereddy says she started collecting books to hand out to patients. And then, handwritten notes.

Then her sons gave her the idea to add even more.

So together, as a family, they started collecting games, puzzles, drawings, and other items.

The volunteers in medicine program at Baylor Scott and White stepped in to help the family sterilize the donations and safely pack them. That all happened in the family’s spare bedroom.

“So I was fighting very hard to keep my dog from the sterile room,” said Rereddy.

As word spread, donations grew-- from hand sewn masks-- to drawings from local children.

Within weeks, they delivered 260 patient care packages to four hospitals.

Dr. Rereddy and other volunteers have also made 30 care packages for hospital nurses and staff.

“You probably get more than what the patients are getting just knowing that you probably put a smile on a patients face or you have given hope that they need in that note.”

It’s hope during a pandemic that can be more powerful than any medication and it’s prescribed by doctors who go above and beyond.