Renee Hendrix, a nurse in Marietta, Ga.-based WellStar Kennestone Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, agreed to be part of a Kleenex commercial for National Neonatal Nurses Day, but ended up getting something much more rewarding.
First, Ms. Hendrix — who has been a nurse at WellStar Kennestone since 1982, according to WSB-TV — did an interview about her career as a NICU nurse.
"These parents, they don't get to take their babies home. I feel like if I treat the babies like I would want somebody to treat my baby when I'm not there, that's the most important thing," she said in the video.
Then, in a turn of events, Kleenex asked Ms. Hendrix to watch a video, which features parents of her former patients saying thank you to her for the care and attention she gave their kids while in the NICU.
"Renee saved my son's life multiple times," one dad said.
At the end of the video, parents and former patients filed into the hospital to show their appreciation for her work in person.
See the whole event below (you might want to grab a tissue first):
"I love taking care of these babies. I don't do what I do for any kind of thank you, but it's a wonderful feeling to be appreciated," Ms. Hendrix said.