Driving Compassion:
Subaru Loves to Care^® at MetroHealth

Across MetroHealth’s Cancer Centers, moments of unexpected kindness bring comfort to patients when they need it most.

On Wednesday, June 24, the Subaru Loves to Care® initiative, in partnership with Blood Cancer United® (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), visited the MetroHealth Cancer Pavilion at Main Campus to deliver just that. Representatives from Ken Ganley Subaru Wickliffe brought 80 heart-shaped blankets, 30 patient care kits and warm messages of comfort to share with patients undergoing treatment.

This is the second year Ken Ganley Subaru Wickliffe has worked with The MetroHealth Foundation to support patients receiving cancer care. Sarah LaPuma, Business Development Manager, and Roberto DiFrangia, General Manager, personally handed out the gifts and connected with patients and staff.

Sarah shared why Subaru Wickliffe decided to partner with MetroHealth two years in a row. “We saw the need and the humbleness of the staff and the patients here and wanted to do something where you know it’s going to be appreciated,” she said.

Roberto DiFrangia, new to the Subaru Wickliffe team, reflected on his first experience with Subaru Loves to Care®: “It’s different for me, coming from a different brand. We didn’t do things like this … To see the joy this brings to people, it goes so much further than just selling a car.”

They were joined by two volunteers from Blood Cancer United®, Emily Woolard and Aiden Simpleton, who both contribute to fundraising efforts for the nonprofit. Woolard, a freshman at the University of Dayton, and Simpleton, a senior at Olmstead Falls High School, were able to see firsthand how their work translates into patient impact.

“With what we do in fundraising, we’re raising money, but we don’t always get to see or be a part of the actual exchange or interaction. It was really rewarding to be working with everyone today,” Aiden said.

For patients, these gestures matter. One patient, Nadine Dutko, expressed her appreciation. “There are some people who really need that boost, and it’s the little things like this that show the care,” she said.

This sentiment is shared by Subaru, which has continued this initiative for over a decade, working to bring kindness, hope and warmth to over 550,000 patients with cancer and their families nationwide. Through partnerships like this one, local dealerships such as Subaru Wickliffe help extend that impact directly into the hospitals and communities they visit.

“This is one of the events that makes it so special to work at Ken Ganley Subaru and be part of the Subaru brand. Subaru strives to be more than just a car company. We aim to be a true community resource. Every event we take part in has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We’re already looking forward to coming back next year at the Cancer Center in the new Outpatient Health Center. Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a meaningful and impactful day,” said Sarah.

At MetroHealth, Nurse Manager Kelley Tomaro and Assistant Nurse Manager Megan Berghaus helped the team transport the boxes of blankets and care kits to the patients throughout the center.

Kelley shared how much these moments mean to patients. “They really appreciate somebody else thinking about them, recognizing how hard that cancer treatment is. We appreciate Subaru for giving them a little extra love during a hard time,” she said.

The MetroHealth Foundation is proud to facilitate partnerships like Subaru Loves to Care®, which bring tangible support, compassion and connection to patients.  Many thanks to Ken Ganley Subaru Wickliffe and Blood Cancer United® for their generosity and commitment to making a meaningful difference.