My Unsung Hero

All through the month of October, we’re bringing you some of the stories that have deeply resonated with us over the past five years. This week: When Caitlin confessed her fear of flying to the stranger next to her on a plane, he offered four words of reassurance that became a family mantra.

All through the month of October, we’re bringing you some of the stories that have deeply resonated with us over the past five years. This week: Lila struggled to express herself in writing until her third-grade teacher showed her a way to bring all her stories to life.

All through the month of October, we’re bringing you some of the stories that have deeply resonated with us over the past five years. This week: Four years after his mother's death, Brad returned to the Manhattan diner where he'd last seen her and found unexpected comfort in a group of strangers.

All through the month of October, we’re bringing you some of the stories that have deeply resonated with us over the past five years. This week: A few years ago, Eric's husband Dennis was diagnosed with lung cancer. Several weeks before he died, they met a nurse who offered a compassionate roadmap of what was to come.

All through the month of October, we’re bringing you some of the stories that have deeply resonated with us over the past five years. This week: When a group of girls were bullying Jennifer in middle school, someone unexpected stepped in and changed the way she saw the world.

When Rika was seven, she crashed her bicycle at a park. A stranger stopped to help and made her an origami crane while they waited for her grandfather. Years later, she discovered a message hidden inside.

At 16, Reed Norwood was trapped in a burning truck after a crash. A passing trucker stopped and saved his life.

When Teyu immigrated to the U.S. at 11, he spoke no English and felt isolated at school. A fellow student patiently helped him learn the language.

After Gary was badly injured in a cycling accident, three passing motorcyclists stopped to help.

One morning at the beach, Tracy watched in horror as her young son was swept away by a powerful current. As she struggled to get him back to shore, a stranger came to their rescue.

Kate was flying home for her mother's funeral when her connecting flight was canceled. As she sobbed on the plane, a fellow passenger put a hand on her shoulder and offered to help.

When Jake learned that one of his oldest friends had been rushed to the hospital, he was stuck at college with no way home. Then two people he barely knew drove him more than an hour home so he could be there.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Ashleigh was diagnosed with cancer. Because of social distancing, she found herself missing the comfort of a hug. But one day, at the end of a chemo infusion, a nurse took a risk and changed everything.

After Annabelle was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, a volunteer with the same diagnosis offered advice that changed the way she saw the future.

John was languishing at his job when a woman in HR reminded him of his potential. A favorite from 2022.

In high school, Susan had a stutter, and was embarrassed to speak in front of her class. Then her 12th grade English teacher told her something that changed how she saw herself.

When Solitaire was 18, she had a stroke. When she got to the hospital, doctors and nurses accused her of being on drugs. Then, her unsung hero arrived, and ensured she got the care she needed.

During her freshman year of college, Jennifer felt like the world was collapsing around her. One particularly bad day, a stranger stepped in and gave her hope for the future.

During a family trip to New York City, Lia's father lost his balance on a crowded subway. The stranger who caught him became a role model for how she hopes to respond when others need help.

In high school, Stephen had a romantic relationship with another boy. He didn't consider himself to be gay, but when he moved away to college, the loss of the relationship devastated him. One particularly difficult night, he sought out the company of a roommate who, instead of pressuring Stephen to acknowledge his sexuality, simply listened with a nonjudgmental ear.