One minute, Bette Wubbena was standing in her son's house enjoying her first granddaughter. The next minute, she had collapsed of a massive heart attack.

"You never know when you're going to need that experienced doctor, medical equipment or special care," Bette says. "If and when you do, we all want it to be there for us and our families. Thanks to Allen, it was."

Bette coded blue at least five times and fell into a deep coma on March 27, 2001. On April 4, her daughter urged caregivers to keep Bette on life support at least one more day-her 54th birthday.

Bette's family rallied by her bedside in Allen Intensive Care. Her 83-year-old mother stayed in a hospitality room on the same floor. Her son developed a website updating her condition, posting scores of inspirational messages from friends. On April 5, Bette awoke to find her husband, son and pastor in Allen Room 203 for her best birthday present ever-only one day late.

Dr. Tony Otoadese performed triple bypass surgery on Bette four days later. A defibrillator was implanted in Bette the following week. Altogether, she was hospitalized four weeks.

"In the two weeks I remember, the care at Allen went above and beyond anything you could imagine," she recalls. "My family will tell you the doctors, nurses and staff could not have been any more accommodating.

"I truly believe Allen Hospital is the topnotch heart care center around. Their doctors are very well versed and educated. They know the latest treatment. And they are very compassionate and patient with families going through emotional times."

Bette's experience could happen to you. Maybe it has. And maybe Allen was there to get you through a dramatic transition from hurting to healthy.

Just like Bette's life, healthcare is undergoing dramatic transitions, too. Health savings accounts, prescription drug plans and new medical technology impact us in ways you never would have imagined even a few years ago.

Critical care is expensive. Taking that step to the next level of care requires an investment in people, buildings and equipment. But having critical care available here in the Cedar Valley when you need it is precious beyond measure. We welcome your support to provide it. Here's how you can help.

Your designated gift to Allen Foundation, be it $20 or $20,000, can buy life-saving cardiac equipment. Your tax-deductible gift helps people have another chance at life. Bette Wubbena has already had that chance. Next time, it could be someone in your family. None of us ever knows when we will face life-or-death situations. That's why Allen never forgets how important it is to be prepared.

"Did I have any signs this was coming? I didn't think so," Bette now recalls. "My new life started the day I woke up. I wasn't supposed to be here. But thanks to Allen, I am. And I love every day of my new life. "

Your gift can help others like Bette start new lives every day of the year. And if someday something like Bette went through happens to you, you'll be glad you did. There are so many ways to help. For some ideas, just click on How Can I…?, and we'll help you get started.

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to see ways you can help realize your dream.

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