During a time of acute personal hardship and grief, the emotional and financial support Caregiver Cynthia Lawrence received from her Centra family and the community made all the difference — something she has never forgotten. Now she pays it forward through the Centra Foundation and Centra Family Campaign to help others in need.
“My whole world changed.”
This is how Cynthia Lawrence, BSN, now a clinic nurse with the Farmville PACE program, describes the day she lost her husband unexpectedly many years ago.
“His name was Danny,” she said. “He was a successful brick mason. He and his brother owned a successful masonry business, Kerr Bros. Masonry. We enjoyed camping, going to the beach and spending time with our families.”
His work and their travels came to an abrupt halt one day when she arrived home and found him unresponsive. Danny had vascular disease and early dementia, but his death was a shock.
“I was devastated,” Cynthia said simply.
At the time, she worked in the operating room at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital.
“My co-workers were amazing,” said Cynthia, a Rustburg native who has worked as a registered nurse with Centra since 1996 and describes herself as a helper and a caregiver. She remains grateful for the ways in which her colleagues stepped in to support her during such a difficult time and for the Helping Hands program, which supports Centra Caregivers facing an acute, unexpected need.
Helping Hands has changed some since Cynthia received assistance, transitioning in 2023 from a Caregiver-matching resource to direct request to make it more accessible – including for Caregivers working remotely or in small departments – sustainable and confidential. However, the heart of the program remains the same.
Administered by Centra Spiritual Care & Education, Helping Hands is funded by generous donors from the community, compassionate Caregivers who want to support colleagues in need and Centra.
Now Cynthia pays it forward through the Centra Family Campaign. She appreciates having another way to care for patients and support her colleagues. She also serves as a campaign Ambassador to spread the word that donations impact real people such as herself.
“I know how much it helped me in my time of need,” she said with a smile. “I know how much it means. I’m glad I work at a place where people really care about each other, and I’m glad I can contribute in this way.”
When Caregivers make a gift to the Greatest Need Fund in 2025, 20% of the donation goes to support the Helping Hands program and Caregivers like Cynthia. Caregivers also have the option to direct 100% of their gift to the Centra Foundation’s Helping Hands Fund. In addition, community members can make a gift through the Centra Foundation to support the Helping Hands Fund.
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