Compassionate Staff
Six-year-old Caden Thompson can hardly wait to visit the lab at White County Community Hospital in Sparta, TN, each month. That’s because Lab Technicians Nicole Spivey, Lisa Downing and Denese Simpson (left to right in the photo) make his visit a Star Wars adventure.
Caden has been having his blood drawn monthly since having a liver transplant at 17 months of age. “At first, Caden would cry because he didn’t know what was going on,” explains Christi Waldrop, his mother. But he hasn’t cried for two years. In fact, now he’s always asking me if we can go and get his ‘Owee.’ ”
“Caden is really into Star Wars,” says Denese. “So we always surprise him with a Star Wars toy, poster or coloring book when he visits.” Caden has been admitted to the hospital several times for dehydration caused by his medications. “Every time we go to White County, I’m always very pleased with how they take care of my son,” says Christi. “He’s so comfortable there because the staff treats him like family.”