Holland woman honored by Gift of Life

HOLLAND — A woman from Holland was recently recognized as a donation champion by Gift of Life Michigan.

Rev. Cindi Veldheer DeYoung, hospital chaplain at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, was honored as the 2020 Hospital Spiritual Care Champion by the organization.

Veldheer DeYoung works in the intensive care unit at Butterworth Hospital providing spiritual and emotional support to patients and families, many times in end-of-life scenarios. That support often involves discussing organ and tissue donations and trying to turn tragic situations into opportunities for others.

“We are helping people find new life from tragic situations and take hope in tragic situations,” Veldheer DeYoung said. “Part of my outlook for the work I do as a chaplain is how can I make something that’s so tragic a little bit less awful? How can we bring some hope to this terrible situation?”

She said the award is nice, and a change of pace from her typical role behind the scenes.

“So much of what I do is behind the scenes, and this is very much not behind the scenes,” she said. “It catches me a little off guard. I think these types of things bring to light work that is usually not well known.”

Having worked with Spectrum Health for the past 15 years, following 14 years as a hospice chaplain, Veldheer DeYoung has helped countless families through difficult situations. She said it’s important to listen and support the decisions of families.

“When I do have a chance to talk to them, I talk about the significance of the legacy and try to affirm their decision,” she said. “I try to say what a valuable legacy it is for the family, but I don’t try to convince them that much. I try to be affirming of whatever decisions they make because it’s such a tender time.”

Veldheer DeYoung works with Gift of Life staff when they are on site and often serves as a bridge between the hospital and Gift of Life when it's appropriate to discuss donation.

“I really appreciate working with them,” Veldheer DeYoung said. “I think we can be a good bridge for the Spectrum Health staff and families we work with. This is a nice affirmation of that collaboration in really tragic situations.”

She added that having conversations about being an organ and tissue donor before tragic situations can be helpful for families.

“One of the interesting things that we wrestle with is people go to the Secretary of State and make that designation on their driver’s license, but don’t tell their families,” Veldheer DeYoung said. “Sometimes the family is caught off guard and can’t get past it. That’s a really difficult thing.

“It’s so much easier if they tell family members that. It helps decrease the shock and have conversations more easily.”

Veldheer DeYoung is one of 18 honorees across the state, with 15 individuals and three hospitals recognized for their efforts to save and heal lives.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.