Lana Embraces Her Volunteer Roles

Every Thursday, retired elementary school principal Lana Daws drives from Seward to Lincoln to help bring comfort to patients ranging from some of our very youngest to others nearing the end of their respective journeys.

She spends her morning cuddling infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and in the afternoon escorts patients and visitors around the hospital as a wayfinder.

Only established volunteers may apply to be cuddlers — a role that seems ideal for Lana.

“My career involved 17 years as an elementary teacher and 19 as a principal,” she recalls. “I’ve always enjoyed younger children, and I really like helping with the babies. They’re such bundles of joy,” says Lana.

“When I talk about being a cuddler, people say it sounds wonderful — and it is! You’re sitting in a quiet room, holding a cute little peanut of a person. Usually they just sleep, but they snuggle right in.”

She points out she had a full circle moment recently, when the mother of an infant Lana was holding re-entered the room — and realized that years before she had been one of Lana’s students.

“To become a volunteer nine years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I talk about it all the time with my friends and family. Everybody is so nice here and treats us so well,” Lana continues. “My day is fulfilling here, and I like that!”

Her good works don’t end when her weekly shift is over.

Lana’s a member of the Bryan Volunteers and Customer Care Advisory Board, and she’s active in the TeamMates program and Make-A-Wish, and she’s on the board of Memorial Hospital in Seward.

Husband Jim still runs Daws Trucking Incorporated, the company they established almost 30 years ago, and the firm’s growth over the years allows this couple to help their community today. For example, she and Jim made a gift to the April Sampson Cancer Center that will support the physician/care team work room in memory of their parents.

“For Jim and me, why would you not want to give back to things that are so important to others? Whether it’s cuddling a baby or escorting an elderly person or contributing to the new cancer center, that’s who we are and what we like to do,” she concludes.

If you or a loved one are interested in volunteering at Bryan, click here.

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To learn how you can support the work of Bryan Health, please contact the Bryan Foundation staff by calling 402-481-8605.