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Shock Trauma Holds Memorial For Those Who Lost Loved Ones

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A moving memorial was held Monday at the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center.

Mary Bubala reports dozens of people attended a service for families who lost loved ones to tragedies.

Music marked the beginning of a program to mark the end of patients' lives.  Shock Trauma invited families to come together in remembrance of loved ones who did not make it through a traumatic injury, even when the staff at Shock Trauma did everything they could to save their lives.

"Unfortunately, there is a percentage of patients, despite our absolute best efforts at all hours of the day and night, that we cannot save and this day was really about them and their families and letting their families know how deeply we feel that loss," said Deborah Stein with Shock Trauma.

The nursing staff recited poems and read testimonials from patients' family members in an effort to help people heal from their losses. The names of loved ones lost were read aloud as family members were given a pink rose.

"It really shows how much they care and I think the second reflection of Michelle Willis just expressed the love and the care of the staff here and that was extremely meaningful to us," said Tamra Manah, victim's sister.

The Shock Trauma Center cares for more than 7,000 patients with traumatic injuries each year.

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