Laura Kwerel
Stories
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National
An egg exploded in her face. The ride to the hospital made her feel safe
After Kathryn Fumie burned her face in a kitchen accident, the EMT on the ride to the hospital helped her feel like everything was going to be OK.
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National
A funeral home worker tracked down a family — and uncovered a decades-old secret
A worker at a funeral home managed to locate the family members of an ailing woman. She didn't realize she was uncovering a family secret that went back to the 1940s.
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Health
She had a panic attack during preterm labor. Then a nurse stepped in
As Teresa Hernandez was about to go into preterm labor, she had a panic attack. The nurse put her hand on Hernandez's head to comfort her. She says she felt as if her mom was there.
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National
The border guard looked forbidding — then surprised them with his empathy
A husband and wife were returning from Mexico with chemotherapy medication when a guard asked to see the bottles of white powder. His kindness in that moment left an impression.
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Health
Three hospitals ignored her gravely ill fiancé. Then a young doctor stepped in
Forty years ago, Sarah Lubarsky came home from work to find her fiancé vomiting and slurring his words. It took a doctor's intervention for the problem to be taken seriously.
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National
A car crash survivor recalls the stranger with the soothing voice who saved her
A doctor would later tell Thea Rhiannon she would have probably bled to death if not for the actions of a stranger.
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National
She was bracing for her boyfriend's anger. Then a stranger stepped in
Renée was in an emotionally abusive relationship. At the airport one day, she said a stranger helped remind her that she's worthy of compassion.
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National
She survived a horrific crash. This is why she now keeps a blanket in her trunk
After Laura Carstensen was badly injured in a car crash, two strangers stopped to help her. Their small act of help made a lasting impression.
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National
In a time of profound grief, a woman at church acknowledged this mother's pain
Heather Harper was overwhelmed with grief after the loss of her pregnancy. Then a woman at church said something that made her feel less alone.
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National
She was in panic mode at the hospital. A kind gesture offered a moment of calm
One afternoon in 2003, Susan Dickman was finishing her work day when she spotted six missed calls from the hospital. Her dad, who had recently been diagnosed with leukemia, was there for a biopsy.