Help us to make Marty's JOY a standard worldwide!
About Us
Our staff & volunteers
Contribute to Marty's JOY
Our staff & volunteers
Marty‘s JOY has an amazing support team to help make this program a reality worldwide. As a 501c3, our staff is committed to the continued support of all facilities partnered with Marty's JOY.
Our mission
Contribute to Marty's JOY
Our staff & volunteers
When patients check-in to the hospital, it can be a scary unsettling time. Our mission during this tough task is to make it a little better by adding a little “bling” to one ID bracelet at a time.
At Marty's JOY, we want to make this simple gesture of kindness a standard at all medical facilities nationwide.
Contribute to Marty's JOY
Contribute to Marty's JOY
Contribute to Marty's JOY
Your donations will help fund branded Marty's JOY custom bling, themed stickers, shipping and print materials, marketing materials, and the Marty's JOY support staff. All patients who check for an appointment or procedure will receive their bling on their ID bracelet each and every time.
Our history
Our history
Eight years into my cancer journey, my husband Marty and I found ourselves standing at the check in desk for treatment apprehensive and fearful.
What does this all mean?
How will it affect our future?
How did we get here?
We stood there in line waiting patiently for our turn, occasionally glancing at each other and sensing each other's anxiety.
Finally, we were greeted by Jane, the caregiver behind the desk who smiled, welcomed us warmly and cheerfully and asked how she could be of help to us. After providing her some essential information, she advised us regarding the physician who would be guiding treatment and the location of the waiting area.
After asking a few more questions, she stated that she had a patient identification band for me. As she placed it on my wrist, Marty looked at it questioningly and said, "What? Aren't you even going to give her a bling
bracelet since she has to go through all this?" Jane was silent for a moment, gave him a long hard look and answered "I certainly wish I could do that for you". She must have sensed his nervousness and fear but went on to wish us well and a pleasant rest of day...
When we returned to the check in desk a week later, the same caregiver greeted us with recognition and familiarity and followed with some perfunctory questions. She then reached into a drawer and removed an identification band for me highly decorated with sparkling bling colorful stickers from end to end. As she attached it to my wrist, Marty cried out with indescribable joy, then laughed and exclaimed "You did it! You did it! I can't believe it!
What a place this is! You made our day. Thank you."
Now four years later in my cancer journey I still return to the same check in desk and am greeted by the same associate and many others who without fail attach a decorated bling identification band to my wrist. As I await my turn at the desk, I can't help noticing other patients' exclamations of joy, surprise and delight when they receive their patient identification bands.
To this day, Marty's JOY continues to make my day and seems to make our visit a little easier. As a former nurse, my hope is all medical facilities formalize this program because in life, it's the little things that matter most.
Marty & Joyce (Of Blessed Memory)