Corewell’s Dr. ‘Lav’ and Woodturners make special gifts for cancer patients

Dr. Eugene Laveroni, a vascular surgeon at Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital, has always worked with wood.

Gradually, he and his father, Eugene Laveroni Sr., now 89, discovered a passion and expertise for woodturning, a craft they practice together.

Often when they get together, wood turning is the prime activity on the agenda.

Most recently they turned about 35 acrylic rings and gifted them to family members as part of a 65th wedding anniversary celebration for Dr. Laveroni’s parents.

Prior to COVID, Dr Laveroni and his fellow artisans with the Michigan Association of Woodturners, which meets at the Hart Community Center in Davisburg, often made and donated items to various non-profits, including wooden bowls to soup kitchens and spinning tops to hospital pediatric units.

That tradition unfortunately faded with social distancing.

Inspired by cancer battle

But inspired by the battle his long-time medical assistant, Leslie Cataldo, is waging against an aggressive, Inflammatory Breast Cancer diagnosis she received last spring, Dr. Lav elected to restore the tradition by challenging members of his group to turn wig stands for the Cancer Center at Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital.

Not surprisingly, they responded with enthusiasm, along with several members of a second group, Detroit Area Woodturners.

Dr. Laveroni will present the 30-piece collection he and group members lovingly crafted to the Cancer Center on Friday, May 29.

First wig stand a sign of gratitude

Cataldo, however, currently in remission, has of course already received her own personal wig stand from Dr. Laveroni, who presented it to her in hopes of communicating his gratitude, support and admiration.

“I have the first and original wig stand right here,” Cataldo said, patting it proudly. “I did lose my hair. When Dr. Lav gave me the wig stand, it had a baseball cap on it.

“I was not given good odds in the beginning. But thanks to the great care provided by Dr. Balaraman and her team, I am so happy that most of the cancer is gone now. I would not be where I am today without the love and support of my family and my faith. And, so very, very blessed to have Dr. Lav in my life.”

‘This is a big deal’

Lisa D’Andrea, director of Cancer Services for Corewell Health, said Dr. Laveroni provides patients with something beyond traditional medical care.

“This is a big deal,” D’Andrea said. “To be able to share something with a patient, something beautiful and personal, that one of our physicians made with his hands, that means a lot.

“At a time when our patients might need a little encouragement, we are grateful to Dr. Laveroni and all the amazing woodturners who donated their time and talent to do something that can provide such a powerful emotional impact.”

Thanks to Corewell Health Communications Specialist Maryanne MacLeod for contributing this article to SocialHouseNews.com.