Patty Druffel's affinity for Providence goes back more than 60 years, when she was a student at Sacred Heart School of Nursing. "Sacred Heart Hospital and Sacred Heart School of Nursing were great blessings in my life all those years ago when I began my nursing career. It’s been a blessing that has only continued to grow," she said. 

Patty graduated from nursing school in 1962 and then joined the School of Nursing faculty, where she taught student nurses. Five years later the girl who grew up on a farm and said she would "never marry a farmer," married Ed Druffel and became a farm wife. When Ed died 20 years later at just 47, she ended up being the farmer.

Patty, who still lives on the family farm, just outside of Colton, makes an annual gift to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in honor of her family – especially her late grandson Grayson, who had hoped to become a doctor one day. “My family and I are inspired by all those who work so hard to continue the awesome legacy of Sacred Heart Medical Center. We have found real joy in helping Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital with our annual gifts.”

Patty typically gives to the Children’s Hospital Area of Greatest Need fund, which allows hospital and foundation leaders to direct her donation where it is needed most. She said she appreciates learning how her gift is making an impact, whether on babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or children who are benefiting from the hospital-based school. "Every year my kids want to know, 'what did we get to do this year?'"