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Our Stories
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In this latest edition of The Little Book of Big Impact, you’ll come “face to face” with 10 people who exemplify how Giving Does Good. One way or another, all of them have benefited from the awesome power of philanthropy at Cleveland Clinic. You might even say it’s written all over their faces.
The Project
Danielle Kapusinski
Dr. Mazen Hanna
Liz Mack
Dr. Jun Zhao
Dan Harrington
Dr. Aisha Subhani
Brianna Matthew
Dr. J. Mark Brown
Angel Houston
Grace Wheeler
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Stories like these are made possible by the generosity of donors like you.
Let's face it.
Let's face it. Stories like these are made possible by the generosity of donors like you. Support Our Mission
Let's face it. Stories like these are made possible by the generosity of donors like you. Support our mission.
The Wheeler family benefited from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Infant High-Risk Home Monitoring Program. Pediatric cardiology nurse practitioner Jodi Zalewski, CNP, and registered nurse Lexi Gill expanded the program with a Catalyst Grant, funded through a pool of donations from thousands of donors.
As first-time parents, we went to the 20-week ultrasound excited to find out if we were having a girl or a boy. We ended up learning that something was wrong with our baby’s heart. We were referred to Cleveland Clinic, where they diagnosed a double inlet left ventricle. We were scared, but we knew we were in good hands. Grace had her first surgery a week after she was born. When it was time to bring her home, we felt prepared. The Home Monitoring Program team went over everything with us, from how to use the pulse oximeter to how to measure her medicine for the right dose. Every morning, we checked her vital signs and weighed her, to make sure she was on the right track. It was reassuring because we knew we could reach out to the team whenever we had a question or a concern. When Grace tested positive for COVID, they sent an ambulance right away to bring her to Cleveland Clinic. Luckily, she recovered quickly. Just before she turned 5 months old, she needed another surgery called a Glenn procedure. Six days later, we were home again. Today, Grace is a typical 2-year-old. She loves playing with her baby dolls and singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” One of her favorite things to say is, “Come here!” She’ll hold up her hand and signal for you to join her. Looking at her, you would never guess everything Grace has been through. We don’t know what we would’ve done without the Home Monitoring Program. We’re so thankful for everyone whose contributions make programs like this possible.
As first-time parents, we went to the 20-week ultrasound excited to find out if we were having a girl or a boy. We ended up learning that something was wrong with our baby’s heart. We were referred to Cleveland Clinic, where they diagnosed a double inlet left ventricle. We were scared, but we knew we were in good hands. Grace had her first surgery a week after she was born. When it was time to bring her home, we felt prepared. The Home Monitoring Program team went over everything with us, from how to use the pulse oximeter to how to measure her medicine for the right dose. Every morning, we checked her vital signs and weighed her, to make sure she was on the right track. It was reassuring because we knew we could reach out to the team whenever we had a question or a concern. When Grace tested positive for COVID-19, they sent an ambulance right away to bring her to Cleveland Clinic. Luckily, she recovered quickly. Just before she turned five months old, she needed another surgery called a Glenn procedure. Six days later, we were home again. Today, Grace is a typical 2-year-old. She loves playing with her baby dolls and singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” One of her favorite things to say is, “Come here!” She’ll hold up her hand and signal for you to join her. Looking at her, you would never guess everything Grace has been through. We don’t know what we would’ve done without the Home Monitoring Program. We’re so thankful for everyone whose contributions make programs like this possible.
[ as told by Randi and Ken Wheeler, Grace’s parents ]
[as told by Randi and Ken Wheeler, Grace’s parents]
Let's face it. Stories like these are made possible by the generosity of donors like you. Support Our Mission.
Angel Houston was able to test the benefits of aromatherapy during cardiac MRI exams with philanthropic support via a Catalyst Grant.
I’m a cardiac MRI technologist. I’ve worked at Cleveland Clinic for 28 years. I’m also a certified aromatherapist. I see myself as the bridge between the patient and the doctor. My job is to help the patient get through the scan so we can get the images the doctor needs to make a proper diagnosis and determine treatment. A cardiac MRI can last anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes. The patient has to be able to hold still and to follow breathing commands. If they’re claustrophobic, you can see the fear in their eyes. Instead of giving them medication to help relax them, I thought: What if we try an alternative approach? Aromatherapy is cost-efficient and readily available, and you don’t need a doctor’s order for it. We use a lavender-sandalwood blend. I like it because it’s not overpowering. It’s very mellow. People come into the room and they’re like, “Oh, it smells good in here!” My mentor, Dr. Deborah Kwon, encouraged me to study the effectiveness of this approach. Our data shows that image quality is significantly better for patients who receive aromatherapy. Now Cleveland Clinic is looking at expanding aromatherapy across the entire Imaging Institute. I’ve presented our findings at conferences in London and in Singapore, too. If it weren’t for the donors who support Cleveland Clinic’s mission, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this. I dedicate all of it to my brother, Alonzo. He died of cancer. I wish more could have been done for him. If I can do something for someone else, something to ease their pain, it feels like this is why I’m here — to answer the question: What did I do to try to help others?
J. Mark Brown, PhD, is Director of Research in the Center for Microbiome and Human Health at the Lerner Research Institute. He holds an endowed chair in molecular medicine, established with a gift from Cleveland Clinic scientist Paul L. Fox, PhD. Mark is the recipient of two VeloSano pilot grants, supported through Cleveland Clinic’s year-round fundraising movement for cancer research.
I feel blessed to have experienced Cleveland Clinic from both sides: as a patient and as a caregiver. Shortly after I moved here from North Carolina to take a position at the Lerner Research Institute, I learned I had a stricture of my colon, which had to be removed. During the surgery, they found a very aggressive tumor. It was stage 3 colorectal cancer. Had all of this not come to light when it did, I wouldn’t be talking to you today. My Cleveland Clinic colleagues saved my life. In 2023, to mark 10 years of my being cancer-free, I rode in the VeloSano Bike to Cure event with my whole family — my wife, Amanda, and our three children: Will, Elliot and Claire. It was an emotional but powerful day. As an undergraduate, I thought I might become a registered dietitian. Then I got into a lab and started pushing pipettes, reading the scientific literature and asking research questions. I just fell in love with all of it. After my life-changing experience with cancer, I wanted not only to better understand my own disease, but to be able to give back. In my lab, we’re basically looking at how the human gut microbiome metabolizes different foods in ways that cause or prevent disease, including cancer. Philanthropy plays a tremendously impactful role, especially when it comes to pursuing nascent ideas that are high-risk and high-reward. At Cleveland Clinic, we have this amazing crosstalk between scientists and patient-facing doctors. We’re coming at it from different angles, but all of us ultimately want to help people live their best lives.
Brianna Matthew is a KeyBank Scholar at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, where she is a second-year student. The KeyBank Foundation generously supports opportunities for future physician-scientists and healthcare leaders.
I'm from St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. When I was younger, I wanted to be an artist. I ended up being creative in other ways. In college, I studied biomedical engineering. I liked the problem-solving aspect of engineering, and I also had an interest in the medical field because of my parents’ health challenges. After getting some experience in industry, I realized I wanted to work more with patients. First I went to the National Institutes of Health, where I did research with patients who had a rare lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis. I was using CT imaging to track disease severity and investigating imaging biomarkers to predict declines in pulmonary function. Interacting with these patients and hearing their stories clinched my decision to go to medical school. I definitely appreciate the opportunity to pursue my education at the Lerner College of Medicine, which has provided me with mentorship, support and ample opportunities. I recently enrolled in an elective that has piqued my interest in radiology. I learned that it’s not just about interpreting images. It’s about being part of an interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive patient care. Someday I hope to develop a youth mentorship program on St. John to promote STEM-based careers. When I was growing up, there were little to no opportunities for students interested in medicine. I hadn’t considered becoming a doctor myself because I didn’t know anyone from my island who had become a physician, nor were there any doctors who looked like me. If other people couldn’t do it, how could I? But I’m making my own path.
Aisha Subhani, DO, is Medical Director of Emergency Services at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital in Florida. The emergency department there is supported by numerous donors, including Bob and Mindy Rich and Gene Berman.
Nobody wants to go to the ER, but at times it’s necessary. What sets our emergency room apart is our commitment to treating patients with empathy, even in the most challenging situations. It’s my responsibility to make sure they receive the best care in the safest way possible. Emergency rooms are busy and crowded, especially in the post-COVID world, where volumes have surged. We’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, serving as an access point for those who can’t wait for an appointment. My mother is a retired internal medicine physician. I saw how her patients responded to her, and I thought it was amazing. I liked the idea of trying to help people, so I decided to go into medicine, too. When I did an ER rotation, I found my calling. The variety drew me in. Emergency medicine is often dramatized on TV, but the reality is different. Many cases are routine, like headaches or abdominal pain or coughs. Still, we have to be prepared for anything. One gentleman came in with chest pain that he thought was minor, but we discovered that he was having an evolving heart attack. Fortunately, we treated him in a timely fashion. Some time later, I was in a supermarket and someone called my name. I turned around, and it was him. He thanked me for saving his life. The impact of philanthropy is hard to quantify because it touches so many lives. People come to us from all over, and our donors help us keep our doors open.
Dan Harrington is the first patient to receive the drug lecanemab for the treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is sustained by philanthropic support. Dan and his wife, Andrea, have been married 36 years. They have three children: Ashley, Montana and Brandon.
There were signs that something wasn’t right. I took a test for a promotion at work and failed, twice, which wasn’t like me. I left my truck running in the driveway. I went upstairs at home to fetch some paperwork and ended up playing solitaire on the computer instead. I was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and told it would eventually lead to Alzheimer’s disease. My wife, Andrea, and I were devastated. We lived in Southern California at the time. A doctor there basically said we should focus on making memories. I thought, “That’s not an answer.” A few weeks later, our oldest daughter graduated from college. The commencement speaker was Larry Ruvo. When he talked about the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Andrea and I had tears in our eyes.It felt like we were meant to hear it. We ended up moving to Las Vegas just to be near the center. Going there is the best thing I could’ve done. It used to really upset me when I couldn’t remember things. I’d think, “I’m not like this!” These days I still don’t remember everything, but I don’t get as frustrated now. Andrea and I like to go on walks with our service dog, Willow. We laugh a lot. And we listen to music all the time. Old-time rock ’n’ roll gets the blood flowing! From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who supports the Lou Ruvo Center. Without it, God only knows where I would be. They’ve given me hope.
Jun Zhao, PhD, is a cancer virologist at Cleveland Clinic’s Florida Research and Innovation Center.
The focus of my research is virus-induced cancer. It’s estimated that 20% of all cancers worldwide are caused by viruses. Scientists are still uncovering hidden viral genomes inside specific cancers. My goal is to understand how viruses transform cells into tumors and to identify unique vulnerabilities in these cancers. My personal journey into science began in high school with a deep interest in organic chemistry. I’ve always been fascinated by how structural alterations lead to functional changes. This continued through college, where I majored in biological sciences, and into my PhD training in genetic, molecular and cellular biology. In my lab, we’re especially interested in the intricate ways that viruses interact with host cells at the protein level. Our work bridges cancer and infectious biology, leveraging Cleveland Clinic’s extensive resources and expertise in both fields. Our team recently published significant findings involving a process used by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, or KSHV, to cause cancer. We found a viral mechanism that promotes nucleotide biosynthesis. Basically, a nucleotide makes DNA and RNA. For a tumor to keep growing, it needs a lot of resources, including nucleotides. Blocking this viral hijacking effectively inhibits the replication of KSHV and the progression of KSHVpositive lymphomas. I appreciate the donors whose support makes our research possible. It gives us the freedom and the flexibility we need for exploration in the lab, which ultimately can lead to important translational discoveries that will advance patient care.
Liz Mack is part of a pilot program, established with a gift from donor Sarah Hagen McWilliams, that takes an interdisciplinary approach to treating diabesity at Cleveland Clinic Langston Hughes Community Health and Education Center.
I used to exercise a lot. Then I had hip surgery and I got lazy. I wasn’t being mindful of my health. I started coming to the Langston Hughes Center in 2023 with my boyfriend, Charles. We go three days a week in the afternoon. I use the treadmill, the elliptical trainer and other exercise machines. I lift light weights, too. Brad Heiss is an exercise physiologist there. He pushes me. He’ll tell me, “You can do it, Liz!” And do you know what? I can do it! My workout takes two hours if I don’t talk to anybody. If I talk, two-and-a-half hours. I’m a people person. I’m more mindful about what I eat now. I’ll put bananas, kale and strawberries in the blender — that’s my breakfast. I lean more toward vegetables for my other meals. I almost forgot the most important thing: lemon water, my new favorite drink! Three months into the routine, I found out I have diabetes. So this turned out to be exactly what I need: an exercise program and a nutrition program. They offer both at the center. I’m thankful for the generous people who make it possible. All of this has made a tremendous difference in my life. I feel better. Matter of fact, I feel wonderful. In 10 months, I’ve lost 40 pounds. My family is so proud of me. So are my friends. They say, “Liz, what are you doing now? You look so good!” I’m celebrating 34 years of sobriety. My sponsor once told me, “Don’t count the days — make the days count.” I’m just trying to do something positive for myself, one day at a time.
Mazen Hanna, MD, is a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist in the George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Center for Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery. Dr. Hanna is also the Founder and Co-Director of the Amyloidosis Center.
One of my colleagues calls me “The Amyloid Hunter.” Amyloidosis is a disease where abnormal proteins known as amyloid fibrils are deposited in various organs, including the heart. This causes thickening of the heart, resulting in fatigue and shortness of breath, among other symptoms. I first became interested in cardiac amyloidosis when I did an advanced cardiology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Our research has been fueled by philanthropy, starting a decade ago with a key gift from Howard and Ruth Ann Lewis. The generosity of these donors and others has accelerated our work in many areas, including a landmark study in which we looked at tissue in patients having carpal tunnel surgery, finding amyloid, and opening the opportunity for an early diagnosis in the heart. My patients are my heroes. When I look at what they’re going through, I’m in awe of their resilience. They keep rising to one challenge after another, no matter how difficult. My parents also have had a huge influence on me. Dad is a cardiologist and Mom is a nephrologist. They’re immigrants from Syria. Both trained at Cleveland Clinic. They’re outstanding physicians and the two people I respect the most. The ultimate vision I’m working toward is that people who develop cardiac amyloidosis will live longer and better. In some, we can diagnose it in the very early stages. And even if we diagnose it at later stages, we’ll still have treatments. I’m not ready to use the word “cure,” but with the antibodies we’re now developing to remove amyloid from the heart, the sky is the limit.
One of my colleagues calls me “The Amyloid Hunter.” Amyloidosis is a disease where abnormal proteins known as amyloid fibrils are deposited in various organs, including the heart. This causes thickening of the heart, resulting in fatigue and shortness of breath, among other symptoms. I first became interested in cardiac amyloidosis when I did an advanced cardiology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Our research has been fueled by philanthropy, starting a decade ago with a key gift from Howard and Ruth Ann Lewis. The generosity of these donors and others has accelerated our work in many areas, including a landmark study in which we looked at tissue in patients having carpal tunnel surgery, finding amyloid, and opening the opportunity for an early diagnosis in the heart. My patients are my heroes. When I look at what they’re going through, I’m in awe of their resilience. They keep rising to one challenge after another, no matter how difficult. My parents also have had a huge influence on me. Dad is a cardiologist and Mom is a nephrologist. They’re immigrants from Syria. Both trained at Cleveland Clinic. They’re outstanding physicians and the two people I respect the most. The ultimate vision I’m working toward is that people who develop cardiac amyloidosis will live longer and better. In some, we can diagnose it in the very early stages. And even if we diagnose it at later stages, we’ll still have treatments. I’m not ready to use the word “cure,” but with the antibodies we’re now developing to remove amyloid from the heart, the sky is the limit.
Danielle Kapusinski received support from Cleveland Clinic’s Cancer Patient and Family Support Services program, funded in part through partnerships with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio. Partnerships like these enable Cleveland Clinic to provide more than $100,000 in assistance annually for patients experiencing financial hardship.
When I was first diagnosed, my doctor asked me what my goals were. I told her I wanted to see my son, Preston, graduate from high school. He was in fifth grade at the time. I have Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that has spread to my lymph nodes, bones and liver. Earlier this year, I got really sick. I was afraid I’d fall asleep and not wake up. I couldn’t do that to Preston. There were times I wanted to give up. I lost my dad, who was my greatest supporter, and I lost my job. It got to a point where it was hard to make ends meet. My social worker at Cleveland Clinic, Dena Hunt, got me approved for a hardship grant. I really appreciated it. Through the generosity of others, I was able to get through a rough time. When you’re going through something like this, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to put food on the table or how you’re going to pay your bills. I need whatever energy I have to fight this cancer. I want to lead by example. I don’t ever want my son to think that I gave up on life. I’ve always told him not to quit and that if he starts something, he has to finish it. I have to take my own advice. I’ll be 50 in March 2025. That’s my next goal. We used some of the money to pay for Preston’s AP history books, his senior portrait and his cap and gown. This past May, he got his diploma. I was incredibly proud of him. I was just so happy to be here to see him walk across that stage.
Danielle Kapusinski received support from Cleveland Clinic’s Cancer Patient and Family Support Services program, funded in part through partnerships with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio. Partnerships like these enable Cleveland Clinic to provide more than $100,000 in assistance annually for patients experiencing financial hardship
