Hospital worker spreads joy through her voice

Getting patients to smile through her voice. That's what Gloria Peay's been doing at Kenmore Mercy Hospital ever since she had a song request from a patient eight years ago. 

“I’ve been singing ever since I could remember what a vocal cord was,” Peay said. “I get a lot of smiles and I love that. That just fuels my day, just to see somebody smile.” 

Peay sings a 'Hello' and 'Good Bye' song to each patient she serves when they get checked in and eventually leave their room. Diana Donnarumma took a video Wednesday and in 24 hours she had more than 7,300 views and 130 shares on Facebook for Peay singing to her. Click here to view the video.

“She’s one of those people you instantly form a connection with,” Donnarumma said, which perfectly describes her favorite quote that she read aloud, “Kindness is a wonderful way to let another struggling soul know that there’s still love in this world.”

Donnarumma has been dealing with a diseased called Total Global Intestinal Dysmotility, a disease that causes certain organs to not function properly. In October, she received a multi-organ transplant at a hospital in Washington D.C., one of the five centers around the world. That procedure replaced both of her intestines and removed 90% of her stomach. 

“You realize whats really important in life and it’s not the big things, not the cars, not materialistic it’s how someone makes you feel in a moment,” Donnarumma said. “I might not be working a job but my job is to get better.” 

Peay met Donnarumma only 3 days ago and to Peay, that's the most special part. 

“If you could smile during a sickness, that’s a healing, that’s a medication that you can’t buy in stores,” Peay said. “That should be our ultimate goal everyday, just to make somebody happy.” 

Have a news tip, question or comment?