Grateful Patient Spotlight
Sue Davison
When Sue Davison learned she had breast cancer, her world changed in an instant.
The diagnosis led to years of treatment, a double mastectomy and countless moments of uncertainty. Through it all, one thing remained constant: the compassionate care she received at AdventHealth.
“I chose AdventHealth because I continued to be comfortable with the care I was receiving and the knowledge and compassion of the professionals I encountered,” Sue said. “I never considered treatment at other facilities.”
The medical care she received helped her heal physically, but it was often the small moments of kindness she remembers most.
One night after surgery, a member of her care team stayed attentive to her every need, offering comfort and reassurance during a difficult recovery.
“His kindness and sincerity were evidenced in his ability to meet my post-surgery needs,” Sue said.
“I found his peace-filled spirit contagious.”
For Sue, those moments represented something larger: the feeling of being cared for as a whole person, not just a patient.
From Survivor to Supporter
After years of treatment, Sue became cancer-free. As she reflected on her own experience, she found herself thinking about the challenges many patients face beyond their diagnosis.
While recovering from her double mastectomy, she experienced firsthand how important it can be for women to maintain confidence and a sense of normalcy during treatment. She was fortunate to have access to bras and breast forms that helped her feel more like herself, but she knew many patients do not have the same opportunity. These items are often expensive and out of reach for those already facing the financial burdens of cancer treatment.
Determined to help others, Sue and her husband, Reid, began looking for a way to extend the same support and dignity she experienced to future patients.
Their goal was simple but powerful: help women facing cancer feel seen, supported and confident during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives.
A Partnership Creating Lasting Impact
That vision aligned with a dream already taking shape inside AdventHealth.
Leaders at the Cancer Institute hoped to create a Cancer Care Boutique where uninsured and underinsured patients could access wigs, prosthetics, mastectomy products and comfort clothing that might otherwise be unavailable to them.
Today, that vision is becoming a reality because Sue and Reid chose to cover the cost of a renovation that will transform an existing Cancer Institute space into the new boutique.
When it opens, the Cancer Care Boutique will operate in partnership with Bra Couture KC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping uninsured and underinsured cancer patients access critical appearance-related resources during treatment and recovery. The collaboration will ensure patients have access not only to products, but also to financial support to help during their time of treatment.
For patients, that means fewer barriers during an already overwhelming journey. It means being able to receive a properly fitted mastectomy bra or breast form without worrying about the cost. It means having access to wigs, prosthetics and comfort items that can restore confidence during treatment. And it means receiving care that supports emotional well-being alongside physical healing.
Paying Forward the Care She Received
For Sue and Reid, supporting AdventHealth’s Cancer Care Boutique is more than a renovation project.
It's about creating a place where women can find encouragement, dignity and practical support when they need it most.
It's about ensuring future patients feel the same compassion and care that shaped their own experience.
After surviving cancer, Sue set a simple goal for herself: "Live." Today, that life includes watching her grandchildren reach important milestones and helping create opportunities for other patients to move forward with hope.
Sue and Reid's generosity is helping transform a personal experience into a lasting source of comfort for countless others.
If you are invested in the work of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s Cancer Institute, consider making a lasting impact like the Davison family by donating through the AdventHealth Kansas City Foundation. Your gift helps patients access the latest cancer treatments and life-changing support that is so important in helping people live beyond cancer.
