The Grambo Connection

On April 6, 2020, our family lost Mary Virginia Howell Christopher to COVID-19 at the age of 97. Due to social distancing requirements, we were not able to be with her in person. Slidell Memorial Hospital helped us be there virtually with her through Zoom before she passed. As we honor the life of our family matriarch, whom we called Grambo, we want to help others be present with loved ones virtually in the hospital through technology devices and apps. Not everyone is able to be with family in times of need, but they can be there virtually around the world. No one should have to pass without their family present, even beyond COVID-19. Here’s how we plan to accomplish this: Strategy 1: Provide tablet devices to hospitals, clinics, hospice centers, and other long-term care facilities. Strategy 2: Educate staff and volunteers on operating devices, updating them, and helping families connect through them. Strategy 3: Offer additional resources and counseling to grieving families in partnership with participating hospitals.