WESTON, W.Va. – The heartbreak of one family, will provide a valuable gift of communication for COVID patients at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital (SJMH), in Weston and Mon Health Medical Center, in Morgantown. Recently, a Buckhannon family donated an IPad and Android tablet to the Weston Hospital for use by COVID-19 patients.  Mon Health Medical Center will be receiving their donation shortly.

Sheila Perry and Pam Johnston, of Buckhannon, can testify to their heartbreak when they lost their father, Tex E. Walton, of Buckhannon, to COVID-19.

Walton was admitted to the hospital on October 7, 2020, and succumbed to the disease on October 20.  Unfortunately, for his daughters, their only communication with their father while in the hospital was through a cell phone and other devices.

“At times, the hospital staff members used their personal devices so that we could communicate with our Dad.  Due to the lack of devices in the facility, we were only given a few opportunities to communicate with him, to say our good byes, and to be with him virtually as he passed away,” the sisters explained.

The virtual time the girls spent with their father kept him fighting while giving them hope and special memories. Knowing that other families were having the same sad experience, the sisters started a fundraiser to buy IPads and Android tablets for healthcare facilities throughout the region to help other families spend quality, virtual time with their loved ones.

“We want to help families all over West Virginia and those individuals in all stages of COVID-19.  We realize that just being able to see and hear your loved one’s voice give hope and the will to fight,” they wrote.  “A thank you to all the frontline staff.  We appreciate all that you sacrifice to help the COVID-19 patients.  You are in our prayers,” they wrote.

Next on the sisters’ list of hospitals will be the Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown.

To donate to the fundraiser contact Sheila Perry and Pam Johnson, 253 Eagle Street, Buckhannon, WV, 26201 or call 304-677-8418.