Major League Baseball

Red Sox World Series trophy invigorates hospice patient

Published Jul. 2, 2014 9:00 p.m. ET

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The work of a medical social worker and the cooperation of Boston and the Red Sox have helped inspire a man who had basically given up hope and wanted to die, according to a Boston Globe article.

Frank Nunes, 72, had stopped eating and was refusing his medication, according to the report.

"He had basically given up," Michael Remeck, a medical social worker for Hospice Services of Massachusetts who began visiting Nunes in December, told the Globe. "He was basically signing out of life."

Remeck, however, recognized Nunes' love for the Red Sox. He saw how Nunes' room was decorated with memorabilia from the team. And then he put his plan into action.

The social worker began to share Red Sox memories with Nunes, who had suffered a stroke several years ago that eventually led him into hospice care.

And then, the article states, Remeck made Nunes an offer:

"If, by some miracle, I could get the World Series trophy here, in this room, would you start eating again?" Remeck recalled asking.

"You better believe I would!" Nunes replied.

Remick began to find out how he could get the trophy to the hospice. Meanwhile, Nunes perked up and began to eat.

The challenge was to get the World Series Trophy to Nunes.

Meryl Johnson, marketing director for Hospice Services of Massachusetts, called the mayor's office, who called the Red Sox, the Globe reported.

And, on Tuesday, the magic moment happened.

"I just want to touch it one time," Nunes told the reporter. "This is a big day for me."

A man in a Red Sox shirt brought the trophy in and walked over to Nunes, who shed some tears.

"I'm so happy," he said again and again. "For the rest of my life, I'm happy."

The Red Sox, always involved in community work, capped the moment in a special way, giving Nunes a replica championship ring.

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