A Table Set With Gratitude
The smell of warm Thanksgiving food fills Moffitt Cancer Center’s Blood Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit before the first caregiver even walks through the door. Nurses adjust tablecloths, straighten decorations and help each other settle whimsical turkey hats on their heads. But beneath the laughter and playful chaos of setup lies something deeper: a shared heartbeat of compassion that has defined this annual Caregiver Thanksgiving Luncheon for more than a decade.
For the nurses who bring this event to life each year, the luncheon is much more than a meal. It is a tender reminder of why they chose this work in the first place. And for the many caregivers far from home and those carrying the emotional weight of supporting a loved one through a bone marrow transplant, it becomes a rare moment where they are the ones cared for.
Compassion in Action
Inpatient nurse Brandon Delli Santi serves a BMT patient caregiver.
The luncheon committee begins planning months in advance, using notes from previous years to make thoughtful improvements. Nurses collaborate on everything from decorations to menus, while providers volunteer alongside them to serve meals and greet families.
“It’s something everyone wants to be part of,” said luncheon committee chair nurse, Heather McNicol. “Because it’s about celebrating the caregivers. They give so much and we want them to feel appreciated.”
Caregivers can share a meal together or take food back to their loved one’s room. What matters most is creating a space where they can feel supported.
“Some walk in and immediately tear up,” said nurse Jasmine Enriquez. “You can see how much this means to them. That’s why we keep doing it because it truly makes an impact.
A Space To Be Seen
Caregivers in the BMT program take on an especially demanding role. After a transplant, patients require 24/7 support for weeks or even months. Many families temporarily relocate, step away from work or spend holidays far from home.
“They’re caring for the patient around the clock,” said nurse Liz Bermudez, who leads the luncheon decor each year. “So this is our way of caring for them. We want them to feel like they’re part of our Moffitt family.”
The luncheon also brings something caregivers rarely experience: community. Many connect over shared fears, resilience and hope, often forming bonds that continue long after discharge.
A Team Grounded in Purpose
For the nurses, the luncheon is also a moment of reflection and gratitude.
“You can’t do this job without giving your whole heart,” McNicol said. “Our transplant patients and their families go through so much. Events like this remind us why we’re here to care not just for patients, but for the people who love them.”
It also highlights what makes the BMT unit special: a team rooted in compassion and united by purpose.
“I’m just grateful,” McNicol added. “Grateful for our patients, our caregivers and our team. Everyone here truly cares.”
