165: Theresa Adams

Registered Nurse

Theresa has been retired for five years. She had an extensive career in nursing and teaching. She was a school nurse at Exeter and Wilson school districts, a medical/surgical nurse at St. Joseph Hospital, she taught at both St Joe’s and in the Alvernia nursing program, where she received her Doctorate as well.

When one of her best friend’s husbands died of COVID she was overwhelmed with grief. So, she put her feelings into action. She got the sewing machine out of the closet and began making masks, first by purchasing a “Make 10 Masks” kit from a local fabric store. But when hearing that the hospitals were short on masks she continued making them. Securing fabric and elastic from neighbors and friends, she pushed on tirelessly. First, she made 50 a week, then up to about 300 a week, until she completed 8000 masks. They were all donated to hospitals, family, and friends.

Former nursing students of hers were on the frontlines contacting her about how difficult it was. So, she felt she had to do even more. So, additionally, she wrote letters and emails and made phone calls to legislators encouraging them to provide funding for PPE.

When the vaccine became available, she donated her time administering shots at numerous locations. She herself vaccinated thousands of people. She says, “I was glad to create masks from the safety of my home. But now to help the community get back to normal, I’m happy I can help vaccinate.”

She serves on the Advisory Board for the Women’s Exchange of Reading, where Trans-Cultural Nursing is one of her main topics of concern.

Theresa has now received the American Red Cross Award of Service for her efforts.

“Every volunteer can make a difference,” she says. And as she has always told her nursing students, “You have no idea of the power of one.”