Toy Train program cheers up sick kids

Traci Taylor died 12 years ago after a 13-year battle with leukemia. But her compassionate spirit lives on through the Toy Train program she conceived to provide stuffed animals, toys, games and books to cheer up children in Southeast Hospital's Pediatrics Unit. Her parents, Donna, left, and Pat Taylor of Cape Girardeau, continue to carry on her legacy, visiting the Pediatrics Unit at least once a week, handing out toys and other items to sick children. Nurses on the Pediatrics Unit handle the duties at other times. Traci came up with the idea of the Toy Train in 1992 after spending time in Southeast Hospital as a patient. When her health allowed, Traci handed out the toys herself. Initially, the Taylors financed the Toy Train program themselves. They secured donations and spent their own money buying stuffed animals and toys to hand out. In 1996, the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation reached out to the Taylors, agreeing to provide the annual funding to keep the Toy Train supplied with stuffed animals, toys and games.

Saint Francis employees raised more than $9,000

The 2012 Cape Girardeau County Heart Walk was a big success, thanks to the support and dedication of Saint Francis Medical Center and its employees. Twelve Saint Francis teams, made up of more than 100 employees and their families, raised more than $9,000 for the walk Feb. 25, winning the award for most money raised. The hospital was also the signature sponsor of the event, which raised a total of $46,726 for the American Heart Association.