Channeling Grief into Good

When Oak Park, Michigan, native Kim Andrus arrived at Saint Francis Hospital in 1985, fresh from earning her dietetics degree from Madonna College, she quickly realized Peoria was not the big city with bright lights she had imagined herself working in as a professional woman in her mid-twenties. However, she noted, "My four years at St. Francis Medical Center was a great first job."

Kim was preparing to move to a larger city, but all her plans changed when she met Ben Shuler, a Caterpillar engineer. She knew in her heart that he was "the one." They were married at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Peoria Heights, in 1989.

"I cannot stress enough how much Ben loved Peoria," Kim Shuler said. "He told me up front that Peoria was the biggest town he ever wanted to live in. Eight years after Ben's death from cancer, I am here to stay. I don't know how to find the words to express my feelings about Ben's suffering, but I am working to keep cancer research experts here, at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. If the Cancer Institute had been here when Ben was diagnosed on his 71st birthday in 2017, I believe he would be alive today."

As a result, Kim is highly motivated to support research at the OSF Cancer Institute's Breakthrough Treatment Center and has generously designated funds from her estate because money is needed to stay focused on research.

She is determined to "let people know that the proton beam at our Cancer Institute is even better than Northwestern Medical Cancer Center. We must work hard to get the word out. People don't have to go to Chicago (or anywhere else) to get the latest and greatest. It's right here!"

The Value of Volunteering and Giving

The youngest of seven, Kim grew up with parents who valued volunteering and giving back. She volunteered as a young teen and has always been community and service oriented. When she first relocated to Peoria, she looked for ways to serve. Over the years, she has volunteered at area soup kitchens, Wildlife Prairie Park, her church communities, and numerous additional causes. She has been a Blue Coat like her husband at UnityPoint Health Proctor and even volunteered briefly at the Peoria Zoo, helping with diets for the animals.

Her culinary talents and belief that food is medicine will take her volunteer time into the OSF Cancer Institute's Healing Kitchen, where cancer patients and survivors learn from oncology trained dietitians how and what to eat to stay strong during and after their treatment. Kim is excited to work with the dietitians but will also be learning more about cancer treatments by volunteering in the OSF Cancer Institute Infusion Center as well. Although she has learned firsthand about the life-changing implications of a cancer diagnosis, she wants to understand more about cancer treatments, adding, "We all need to know and understand how devastating it is to receive a cancer diagnosis. Anything I can do to help others with a cancer diagnosis, even if someone just needs a good listener, I will do it. It's just that important."

The Power of Peace through Hospice

After Ben won his battle with prostate cancer in 2004, and recovered from back surgery in 2017, he faced cancer again. On June 10, 2017, his physicians determined his cancer was too advanced for treatment, and hospice care was recommended. Thirteen days later, Ben passed away at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, and Kim highly praised the staff for their compassionate care.

"The team provided Ben with an incredibly dignified death," Kim said. "They are absolutely the experts in the field of hospice care, helping to control Ben's pain. Everyone was so personal, respectful and supportive."

In appreciation for 13 days of her husband's loving end-of-life care, Kim volunteered for a time at the Hospice Home after Ben's passing. She was able to offer first-hand, non-intrusive comfort and consolation to others who were facing end-of-life challenges.

"On Ben's deathbed, I saw the presence of God," she said. "I had an epiphany, a re-awakening of my faith. I fell to my knees, and I soon returned to my Catholic faith. The fact that the Hospice Home has crucifixes in every room and many faith-filled nurses who would pray for and with me also touched my heart."

For the past eight years, Kim still grieves and tries to channel that grief into doing something good for others.

Beacon of Light

When Kim learned how many patients and family members are helped each year at the Hospice Home, and that children were becoming more frequent patients there, she immediately wanted to contribute and give financially once more from her deep love for her husband. Consequently, her gift of the Beacon of Light, a tall, stationary light that shines directly into the sky from dusk to dawn, will be dedicated this October as a memorial to her husband, and others that have passed there since the Hospice Home's inception in 2013.

The Beacon of Light is symbolic of the pathway to Heaven and will also draw attention to the physical location as many people are not aware it exists, until they must be. The beacon will be a meaningful reminder that OSF offers compassionate end-of-life care "with the greatest care and love in a community that celebrates the Gift of Life."

In addition to funding the Beacon of Light, Kim has also made provisions in her trust for a sizable gift upon her passing. She feels strongly that helping to sustain the meaningful work there is part of her ultimate gift – her and Ben's legacy.

Finding Her Niche and Mission

After working in various roles in the field of dietetics – everything from clinical to teaching to being a food service director and clinical manager – the last 24 years have brought her the greatest sense of fulfillment. As an independent contractor consulting dietitian to several nursing homes throughout the central Illinois region, she oversees the workings of each kitchen to ensure her clients are operating in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Kim said. "Honestly, that's my niche. I can really communicate with older folks, and I love their stories. You have no idea of the depth of loneliness they experience. I just love them. My heart is about serving, and once I found my niche within the field of dietetics, that made all the difference."

As long as Kim can remember, she has pondered the question: How can I help? She has sought the answer throughout her life through a variety of volunteer experiences, adding, "We all must figure out the answer to this question." Always looking to volunteer where she "can serve the most," Kim encourages others to think about where their gifts can do the most good. Her generous estate gift will impact the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home and The OSF Cancer Institute in substantial ways, enhancing the Peoria community that she and Ben considered "home."