Health crisis prompts consistent giving

In April 2004, Nancy Marcell and her husband, Corey, had only been home a month with their newborn son, Kaden, when Marcell experienced a health crisis.

“I was just walking on the treadmill in the basement, and my left leg started shaking a little bit,” Marcell said. “I thought, ‘OK, maybe I’m pushing it too soon.’”

The shaking continued, even after Marcell took a break. Just after she went to find her husband, Marcell suddenly experienced a grand mal seizure.

“The next thing I know, they put me in the ambulance and I went to the Shawano hospital,” she said.

Marcell was eventually taken to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, where she underwent an angiogram, which led her medical team to discover that Marcell had a blockage in her sagittal sinus vein.

So soon after bringing their infant son home, the last thing the young couple expected was the very real possibility that a blood clot in Marcell’s brain could take her from the family.

“There were many sleepless nights,” she said. “We were told that we should bring family members in because they didn’t know what was going to happen.”

Marcell’s medical team was able to resolve the issue without surgery, working to ensure she was comfortable as she recuperated in the intensive care unit. She remembered feeling like she was in good hands throughout the terrifying event and felt a deep appreciation for care teams.

Her health issue has never returned, and their son, Kaden, also is thriving. This year, he graduated from high school and is on his way to Fox Valley Technical College to study business and finance. He’s also an avid golfer with a job at Channel Lake Golf Course.

After her recovery, when the couple later received a letter from the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, Corey Marcell suggested they donate.

“I’m just really happy with everything that the care teams did,” said Corey Marcell, who works at Georgia-Pacific in the electro-maintenance department. “I thought they did a really good job, and that’s why I wanted to give something back.”

For the past 18 years, the Marcells have given to the foundation each year.

“We donate to things that we care about and are close to us,” said Nancy Marcell, who worked with her husband at Georgia-Pacific until she left to work for the city of Shawano five years ago in order to spend more time with her parents. “We weren’t giving thousands of dollars, but we are proud to continue the donations over the last 18 years.”

A donation to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations can be made in any amount and can be directed to a specific cause, supporting an area that is meaningful to the donor and/or donors.

“The Marcells are the perfect example of how people in the community can make a significant impact with their generosity,” said Courtney Weiland, vice president of philanthropy with the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. “Those who have been through a health crisis like Nancy and Corey know firsthand how valuable it is to support the work and mission of ThedaCare and to help other families in need.”

Areas of outreach in the community supported by the foundation include ensuring medical care is accessible to rural neighbors and investing in lifesaving medical equipment and services.

“I’ve trusted ThedaCare to use the money and put it toward a good cause,” said Nancy Marcell. “Maybe it will help another family keep their loved ones well. If anyone has had someone in their family experience a health crisis, you can donate to help someone else. If any of our donations can go on to help others in a similar situation, that’s all we can ask for and it is all worth it.”

ONLINE

For information on the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, go to https://thedacare.org/about-us/giving/foundations.