In 2003, Marion Blank entered Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital for the first time.

Marion was recovering from spinal surgery and had been directed by her surgeon to have out-patient rehabilitation at Bryn Mawr Rehab. She was hoping to get her sessions over with as soon as possible and be back to her busy life as a pharmaceutical scientist. Little did she know, she would continue to return to Bryn Mawr Rehab for more than 20 years – not as a patient, but as a volunteer, donor, and champion of the Hospital.

British-born Marion is a PhD scientist, world traveler and avid road biker. Like most active people, surgery was humbling, and she was not looking forward to what she foresaw as a long, boring rehabilitation. But after just a few sessions at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, she stopped dreading her sessions and began to love them.

“My therapists were caring and knowledgeable, and I began to look forward to my sessions in the pool,” she said. “Not only did they get me functioning again but I enjoyed the process. To this day, I remain grateful for that experience.”

So much so that after her last therapy session, Marion vowed that when she retired from her job at Johnson & Johnson, she would return to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital to volunteer.

Twelve years later, she did just that. In 2015, she began volunteering at reception and in other areas of administrative support, as well as in patient transport. She particularly loved her transport duty because it gave her the chance to watch patients achieve results.

“From one week to the next, patients would make remarkable strides that were nothing short of miraculous,” she said. “I found it intellectually and emotionally rewarding. I think anyone who spends time at Bryn Mawr Rehab feels the same.”

That’s why a few years ago, Marion decided she wanted to do even more. As part of her long-term financial planning, she named Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital as a beneficiary of her retirement account. “I chose this type of commitment because it was a simple process, and it will not affect my current or future lifestyle.”

When people ask Marion why she is so passionate about supporting Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital personally and financially, she holds up her finger near her thumb and says: “We are all this close to needing Bryn Mawr Rehab’s services. All it takes is one slip, one fall or one accident. Together, as a community, we need to support this gem of a rehab hospital so it will always be here when we need it.”

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital

Meet Our Donors

Marion Blank

Sal and Linda Panasci

Main Line Health Foundations tax IDs