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St. Mary's hosts 23rd annual Teddy Bear Reunion

St. Mary's of Michigan hosted their 23rd annual Teddy Bear Reunion as a true celebration of life for over 400 open heart surgery patients. The event took place Sunday, February 7, at the Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw.

In recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the St. Mary’s of Michigan Open Heart Surgery Program, Senator Roger Kahn, M.D. presented a special proclamation to start the program. The proclamation was to honor St. Mary's for 25 years of performing open heart surgery.

The first open heart surgery at St. Mary's was performed in 1984 on a retired elementary school principal. Since then there have been over 86,000 cardiac catheterizations, and over 20,000 open heart surgery patients.

Many of the attendees brought along their Sir Koff-A-Lot Teddy Bear.  The Sir Koff-A-Lot bear is given to patients after open heart surgery to hold to their chests when they cough to ensure their incision doesn’t break apart as they heal.

Among the 400-plus guests was Beverly Blue, who received a triple-bypass in 1998. She has been attending the annual Teddy Bear Reunion for the last 12 years, having only missed a couple of years. Her bear, aptly named Lady Koff-A-Lot, was stylishly garbed in a flower-print dress with capped sleeves and a ruffle hem.

Guests were treated to heart healthy snacks and refreshments along with special entertainment, including Name that Tune, and a Best Dressed Teddy Bear Competition. There were also complimentary "milestones," smooth river stones, each one engraved with one word, such as "Smile," "Hope," "Life," "Love," "Family," and "Celebrate."

Beverly Blue with Teddy Bear
Beverly Blue is seen here with her bear, Lady Koff-A-Lot. Beverly goes to the gym regularly and still works part-time as an R.N. at Saginaw Metal Castings Division.

 

 

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