Leonard and Arlene Adams must cross a bridge to reach Staten Island University Hospital from their home in Perth Amboy, NJ, but it’s a drive they’re happy to make. Their connection to the hospital began many years ago, when Leonard had a quintuple bypass. On a later occasion, he passed out in the couple’s home and the ambulance that arrived wouldn’t take them over the bridge—so Arlene drove him there herself. “I knew the hospital,” she said. Added her husband, “I trusted the people that I dealt with there.”

It’s this trust that has buoyed the couple—who were born and raised in Staten Island—through various medical experiences, including years ago when Leonard, a retired MTA employee, was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called acute promyelocytic leukemia.

He began chemotherapy right away, under the care of oncologist Qun Dai, MD, at the Florina Cancer Center, part of Northwell’s Cancer Institute. Leonard responded well to treatment, which lasted about eight months, and is now considered free of the disease.

The husband and wife both felt fortunate, but last year their luck changed again when Leonard suffered a ministroke. At that time, doctors discovered a rectal tumor and diagnosed the now 75-year-old with colorectal cancer. It was too soon after the stroke to operate, so Leonard underwent radiation, cared for by radiation oncologist Phillip Vigneri, DO. The plan was to shrink Leonard’s tumor and, when he was able, to remove it surgically. That approach was also successful: Earlier this year, Giovanni Bonomo, MD, the director of colorectal surgery at Staten Island University Hospital, performed the surgery. Soon after, Leonard returned to the cancer center and Dr. Dai to again receive chemotherapy. Now, despite some fatigue, he’s doing well overall.

“Dr. Dai and the nurses and staff have saved my husband’s life more than once,” Arlene said. “I trust everyone in the infusion center explicitly. You could not ask for better.” In the more than 10 years they’ve been coming to the hospital, Arlene says the health care team has always made them feel at home, addressing them by name when they walk in and asking details about their lives. Even when it was a hard day for Leonard, they were always there for him with a smile.

“That is an unbelievable thing that they’re doing, a great service. How can you repay that? It’s impossible.” Not that Arlene and Leonard haven’t tried their best to give back: In past years, Leonard dressed up as Santa for the hospital’s annual pediatric holiday party. Together, they’ve delivered homemade cheesecakes and ordered lunch for the staff, given bracelets to the chemotherapy nurses and offered Arlene’s handmade crafts to other patients undergoing chemo.

Arlene, who is retired after years managing a surgeon’s office, also volunteers her time and talents to the hospital’s annual National Cancer Survivors Day breakfast. Each year, her goal is to raise $2,000, which she does by handmaking crafts—everything from wreaths to crocheted items and more—that are then sold at the hospital. She’s created centerpieces for the event, and spoken at it twice about her experience as a caregiver.

“Cancer is something that affects almost everybody in this country,” Leonard said, “and events like Cancer Survivors Day not only lift people’s spirits, but also offer a chance for patients and families to see that they’re not alone.”

And while in the past, Arlene, also 75, has been the caregiver, she was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. After a series of tests performed by gastroenterologist Sharif Farag, MD, she was treated with an iron infusion—on her and Leonard’s 50th wedding anniversary. She brought in cake to share. Now, she sees Dr. Dai for a checkup every six months.

These days, the couple plan to continue crossing that bridge. “They’re taking care of you and you’re part of an extended family. That’s really important to me,” Arlene said. “I feel you might be able to get care somewhere else, but it’s not going to be that same feeling that puts you at ease. Those nurses and doctors just have that gift.”