Year after year nurses rank as the most trusted profession. That is only one of the reasons why the John A. Hartford Foundation has given so much support to nursing over the years. Their role is endlessly complex because they attend to the needs of patients, families, the health care team, and the health care system. They care for patients of all ages, and in all settings—hospitals, primary care, community agencies, and in the home. In addition to providing care they are often patient advocates. They measure impacts on cost and quality, lead research, and change policy. They are leaders, and they save the lives of the young and old alike.

In fact, nurses saved my life.

It was 1987, and I had just delivered Stephanie, my daughter. The delivery was difficult because her head was not in the right position. But finally, a beautiful baby emerged. Seeing her was the closest thing to heaven I had ever experienced. That sweet face, tiny fingers...heaven. The nurse tended to Stephanie as the obstetrician tended to me. Soon Stephanie was in my arms, nursing. I felt great.

Stephanie roomed in with me in the maternity ward instead of going to the nursery. I couldn't get enough of her. Within an hour, a nurse came to check on me. She smiled as she began what she thought would be routine checks of Stephanie and me. I thought everything was perfect, but the nurse immediately saw otherwise. In reality, I was hemorrhaging, bleeding out, with Stephanie in my arms. I didn't feel any signals even though I was dying. Thankfully, that attentive nurse didn't assume from my outward bliss that all was well. She quickly alerted a team that saved my life.

Now, decades later, Stephanie will graduate from college with honors this month. Now, I have cancer. Our time together is still precious, now even more precious because of the cancer's spread. At another critical time in my life, nurses are again there for me. While they can't save my life this time, nurses are extending the quality of my life—as they do for so many older patients and those with terminal illness. I know all the nurses at the cancer center; they run the infusions that keep my bones strong. They care about my pain and symptoms. They laugh with me and share pieces of themselves, caring about me and all of their patients as they provide excellent care.

It has been 19 months since my Stage IV diagnosis, and I am still here and feeling good. Without nurses, I would not be here at all. Instead, on May 29th I get to see my daughter receive her degree.

In honor of National Nurses Week, I want to thank the nursing profession--all 3.1 million --for the big and small miracles they do every day for patients at the beginning, middle, and end of their lives. I thank you, Stephanie thanks you, and patients everywhere of all ages thank you, too.