Each year, HaysMed transfers approximately 75 patients per year to distant hospitals for care. Our project, Matthew’s Gift, provides a tote bag filled with necessary items to families of emergency transport patients being moved from HaysMed to another facility. Families often do not have time for preparation and often must transfer without a moment’s notice, as their loved one is flown to another facility better equipped to offer the necessary medical attention. Matthew’s Gift provides such necessities as a fleece blanket, toiletries, snacks, puzzle books, paper/pen, gas card, and other items.

Matthew’s Gift is named in honor of three-year-old Matthew Wellbrock, son of Curtis and Jeanna Wellbrock. In September 2016, Matthew was tragically injured and subsequently transferred from HaysMed to receive critical care at another facility. Matthew’s Gift is made possible through individual and business sponsors and will continue as long as financially viable.

About Matthew

“On September 11, 2016, our three-year old son, Matthew Wellbrock, the fourth of our six children, was critically injured in a tragic, freak accident at our home. Local emergency personnel were quick to respond and the professionals at Hays Med worked against the odds to successfully stabilize him to be transported to Wesley Children’s Hospital in Wichita. In the whirlwind of fear and urgency immediately following the accident, there was simply no way for us to properly prepare what we would need for a period of indeterminate length away from home. During our time in Wichita, we were blessed to have received an abundance of compassion and support through prayers, sympathetic hearts, and more tangible things like toothbrushes and diapers for our twins. All of these gave us something to lean on so that we could focus on Matthew and the rest of our family. While we hope no one ever has to experience the fear and sorrow that we have, we are grateful that Hays Med and the Wonder Women League have partnered to provide Matthew’s Gift to those who find themselves in need of support as we did. Matthew had a huge heart and he loved to serve other people in a way that only a three-year old could. Through Matthew’s Gift, the memory of our son lives on.” – Curtis and Jeanna Wellbrock