David Delach is an Allegan artisan who has frequently needed access to the top-notch medical services available at Borgess.

As an infant, David was treated for an ear infection with radiation therapy which triggered health issues for him later in life. Just recently, it was discovered that he had thyroid cancer. Following treatment, David ended up with paralyzed vocal chords, plus esophagitis which caused an eventual lung infection. He had to have a portion of his lung removed.

Despite all of his physical trials, David’s smile still reaches his eyes and makes them sparkle when he talks about the comfort and care he has received at Borgess – and his love of wood carving.

Over the past few years, David has had several other chronic health concerns – including diabetes – and he continues to turn to the professionals at Borgess for his care.

One year ago, following a bout with a bad infection, David was transferred to Borgess-Pipp Hospital’s long-term acute care unit (LTAC) in Plainwell for further treatment. His wife, Sara, a retired teacher, praises the physicians and staff at Borgess for their diligence and dedication. “David spent almost two months in long-term care,” she recalls. “I’m his primary advocate and I am impressed with the skills and the caring attitudes of all the Borgess physicians and nurses with whom we’ve come in contact over the years.”

The Delachs have been married for almost 40 years and during several of David’s home recovery periods, the services of Borgess Visiting Nurses (BVNA) allowed them more time together to be with their family and enjoy their great-grandchildren. “The nurses really take the time to get to know you,” Sara says.

From our “No Wait ER” to long-term care and in-home nursing care options, Borgess Health is where you and your loved ones get local access to world-class care. The Delachs frequently make the short drive from their home in Allegan to Borgess-Pipp in Plainwell for testing and follow-up treatments. “Even our occasional visits to the ER have been made easier to bear by the comfort and competency shown by the staff at Borgess,” Sara says. “There’s no need for us to travel to a huge medical center in a big city when we can receive state-of-the-art care close to home.”

David is now recovering from his latest illness and glad to be back in his home and his woodworking studio, creating beauty to share with others. “David has received an incredible array of caring services at many levels in the Borgess Health system,” his wife Sara says. “We love Borgess-Pipp. It’s small, intimate and they treat us like family.”

Part of the Borgess mission is to provide quality care with compassion to all people, regardless of their ability to pay for services. Our charitable care for the medically uninsured – including many hard-working families with children right here in your community – has grown 200 percent in the past two years.

Recently the Delachs made a donation to help others less fortunate. Charitable care at Borgess for the medically uninsured – including many hard-working families with children – has grown by 200 percent in the past two years. Last year alone we helped 15,615 people access care throughout Borgess Health.

Just as David creates wooden staffs to help support people as they walk or hike along life’s byways, Borgess needs your support to help keep our community in good health. Please join with David and Sara Delach and make your tax-deductible donation to the Borgess Foundation today.