Why I Give: Diane Murphy

Over the years, Diane Murphy has donated to several health care causes—diabetes in honor of her mother, Parkinson’s disease for her father, St. Jude’s for a friend. 

She didn’t imagine she’d find a cause that hit even closer to home. 

One day in 2021, without any prior symptoms or warning signs, Diane passed out and collapsed. Her family took her to the closest hospital, where doctors discovered a baseball-sized brain tumor pressing on her right frontal lobe. 

She needed specialized care, but because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was simply a question of what hospital would have a bed available first. 

“I really lucked out,” Diane says. “It was Saint Luke’s.”

There, she was seen by neurosurgeon Jonathan Breshears, MD. He performed surgery to remove the tumor, which, fortunately, turned out to be benign. 

Diane weathered the surgery well and was soon walking and talking normally. Just a few days after her fall, she was on her way back home. There, she continued her recovery with the help of her daughters-in-law, both of whom are in the health care profession. She has had no lasting effects from the tumor. 

Diane doesn’t hold back when crediting Saint Luke’s for the excellent care she received. 

“Dr. Breshears and his team are extremely knowledgeable, caring, considerate, attentive, thoughtful, positive, friendly, funny, and passionate,” she said, reeling off the words without a breath. “There are just not enough positive adjectives in the dictionary to describe them.”

Diane notes the small acts of consideration Dr. Breshears offered in addition to his medical expertise. 

Instead of shaving her head in advance of the surgery, his staff braided her hair, keeping it intact while still out of their way. Later he arranged for a family picture.  

Grateful for her treatment, Diane decided to give back by donating to Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute, the region’s premiere facility for neurological care. 

“I feel like the Kansas City area is extremely fortunate to have this facility,” she said. “I am one of the lucky ones. I had insurance, but for all the people who don’t, it’s nice to be able to donate and help the Institute in some small way. Donating allows them to have the funds to continue not only their research, but also their ability to have skilled, top-notch doctors like Dr. Breshears. I do it for people who need it.”