Natalie Dameshek, PECO’s Administrative Coordinator for External Affairs, has turned a tragedy into an opportunity to help others. Her daughter, Emilia, was nine when she was first diagnosed with cancer. After three cancers diagnoses over a three year span, Emilia passed away in 2016. Natalie spent more than 200 days living in the hospital with her daughter during that difficult time. This is where she began her work with the children’s hospital Family Advisory Council, to brainstorm ideas on patient care and comfort.
Today, she is co-chair of the Pediatric Advisory Council, where she helps gather input from patients and families to create an environment where the family is a critical part of the care team. She wanted to give back to the organization that gave her family hope, exceptional care and more valuable time with her daughter. She is currently developing a story series where members of the Council share their patient experiences to educate new employees on the culture at the hospital and the care it provides.
Natalie is working with the hospital to use the Achievement Award grant to fund technology to help teens better cope while in the hospital. Because her daughter was in this age group that is often underserved among so many toddlers and younger children at the children’s hospital, she wants this grant to help teens. Their needs are unique and diverse and she hopes to find something to make their stay easier.
About the Exelon Energy for the Community Employee Volunteer Awards Program Each year, Exelon makes grants totaling $200,000 in honor of 24 outstanding employee volunteers for their work in the community. Nonprofits will receive grants of $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000. Since 2007, the Awards Program has recognized almost employees and provided more than $1.5 million to their nonprofit partners.
At Exelon, individual initiative drives our success.
Volunteerism is part of who we are. Our employees are purpose-driven in their work – as well as in their free time. In 2017, 7,808 Exelon employees spent more than 210,000 hours volunteering with nonprofits in the diverse communities we serve. We encourage them to track their hours so we can recognize and reward their work.
Inspiring video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpCLw2qZSLc
