2 moms give back to WVU Children's Hospital - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Stacy Brogan and her son Mason, and Jessica Taylor and her son Jayden have been frequent visitors to WVU Children's Hospital as patients.

One recent trip was a much more joyous occasion.

Brogan and Taylor brought loads of donated items to the hospital. Since February, the two have raised and donated roughly $7,000 to the hospital.

They gave four large crates filled with a host of items they collected including pajamas, toys, socks and coloring books.

Taylor said Jayden had three heart surgeries since his birth, in January 2010.

Brogan said Mason had five heart surgeries since his birth, in June 2008.

When they got word about Mason's heart murmur, Brogan said, the family was devastated. Taylor said when she found out about her son's condition, the hospital staff in Summersville, where she had her C-section, had to give her medication to calm her and get her to sleep. While Taylor and Brogan are both from the Summersville area, the two boys received treatment at WVU Children's Hospital.

"They gave our kids back," Brogan said.

Brogan said they used Facebook to get the word out about the collection and also received donations from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Mount Lookout. Facebook is also how the two moms first communicated after hearing about one another.

The two aren't done trying to raise money. Brogan said they have more fundraisers planned.

They were excited to bring the items to the hospital, Brogan said. Taylor said it felt great to finally get all of the donated materials out of her bedroom.

The fact the families returned to the hospital means the staff not only treated them, but went beyond the physical care, said Cheryl Jones, director of Children's Hospital.

"It makes me feel very proud of the care we provide here," Jones said.

Recently, the hospital has seen former patient families return with donations because they see the need, Jones said. She added that when people come to the hospital, it is usually under terrible circumstances, but it isn't difficult to find someone who is in a worse situation.