My Unsung Hero

Kate was flying home for her mother’s funeral when her connecting flight was canceled. As she sobbed on the plane, a fellow passenger put a hand on her shoulder and offered to help.

When Jake learned that one of his oldest friends had been rushed to the hospital, he was stuck at college with no way home. Then two people he barely knew drove him more than an hour home so he could be there.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Ashleigh was diagnosed with cancer. Because of social distancing, she found herself missing the comfort of a hug. But one day, at the end of a chemo infusion, a nurse took a risk and changed everything.

After Annabelle was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, a volunteer living with the same diagnosis offered advice that changed the way she saw the future.

John was languishing at his job when a woman in HR reminded him of his potential. A favorite from 2022.

In high school, Susan had a stutter, and was embarrassed to speak in front of her class. Then her 12th grade English teacher told her something that changed how she saw herself.

When Solitaire was 18, she suffered a stroke. At the hospital, medical staff accused her of being intoxicated. Then her high school principal arrived — a nun named Sister Maura Smith.

During her freshman year of college, Jennifer felt like the world was collapsing around her. One particularly bad day, a stranger stepped in and gave her hope.

During a family trip to New York City, Lia’s father lost his balance on a crowded subway. The stranger who caught him became a role model for how she hopes to respond when others need help.

During his first year of college, Stephen was devastated by the loss of a relationship he didn’t yet fully understand. One difficult night, a roommate listened with compassion, never pushing him to confront feelings he wasn’t ready to face.