Hero: Hospital Tech From Berkeley Who 'Made Ultimate Sacrifice'

BERKELEY, NJ — Around 30 people nominated Sandra Hardy-Rogers of Bayville as part of Patch's series that features heroes amid the coroanvirus outbreak. Hardy-Rogers, a hospital technician, was one who made the "ultimate sacrifice," they said, while working at Community Medical Center.

Hardy-Rogers died after suffering from the coronavirus, according to her family. "She put others before herself in all aspects of her life. (She) was an awesome wife and mother," said her husband, Joe Rogers.

Patch launched an initiative to help recognize everyday heroes. Normally, with each nomination, Patch will pull each answer from someone's nomination Q&A.

But something incredible happened with Hardy-Rogers. At least 28 people nominated her as their hero. Patch will highlight some of the kind words from each response:

Nominee: Sandra Hardy-Rogers

Job: Emergency Department technician at Community Medical Center.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

"Sandra made the ultimate sacrifice to her community and lost her battle to COVID-19 as a result of being a front line essential worker." - Sandra Strittmatter, coworker and friend.

"Sandra lost her battle to COVID-19 because she was caring for the patients in the Emergency Department of Community Medical Center that had been diagnosed with COVID-19 during their weakest moments. She along with other team members worked tirelessly during the pandemic to ensure safety, prevention of infection and to flatten the curve. Sandra washed patients that couldn't wash themselves, she made sure patients were safe when they were fearful, she walked into rooms knowing the virus lingered on the walls without hesitation. She was fearless. She was a team member. She was one of us." - Tess, coworker.

"Sandra was on the frontline working in the ED at Community Medical Center. She contracted COVID-19 and was in ICU for over a month. This past Friday she succumbed to the virus. She leaves behind a husband, son and her entire work family at CMC. She is a true hero." Jamie, coworker.

"She worked in the ER taking care of patients with COVID-19. She ended up testing positive herself. She fought a hard battle. First pneumonia, then blood clots in the legs and lungs. She had surgery but the family was told there was no circulation in her legs so she’ll probably lose her legs. She went into renal failure. Then dialysis. The brain dead. After a month long battle she passed away. Sandra was one of the strongest women I know. She’s taken care of people her whole life. She’s from the U.K. where she spent her early years as a nanny. When she made her way to the US she helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Eventually she became a home health care worker. Then a nursing assistant in the hospital. A few years ago she came down to the ER. She’s a hard and caring worker. She lost her life because she chose to work the frontline to take care of others. She deserves the award." Dayna Fillman, worked in the emergency room with Hardy-Rogers.

"She worked hard and always showed up to work no matter what. She lost her battle to COVID-19 on May 1st but she never stopped fighting. She was strong, amazing and funny." - Aisha Balado, coworker.

"Sandra was the light in the room. Never once did she complain about her job, she always assisted me as a tech to me being an RN without any questions asked, and she was a bundle of British humor." - Meg Hall — Hardy-Rogers served as her ER technician.

"Died in the line of duty during coronavirus." - Alexis Hagenfield, coworker.

"She was a beautiful human being, she had one of the biggest hearts you could ever imagine. She’s such a hard worker everyone there loves her so much and her son and husband are having such a hard time right now." - Gabrielle, coworker and family friend.

"She had touched so many peoples hearts at her job it’s incredible. She’s unfortunately passed due to the corona virus and right now we believe this will help us show everyone the superhero mom, wife, and co worker she is!" - Steven.

"She was a very hard worker and a good friend. She did everything she could to take care of her patients. She was kind, sweet, funny, and strong." - Emily Avalos, coworker.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?

"Sandra was adored by her patients and loved dearly by her husband, Joseph, son, Brett, family across the pond, friends and work family." - Strittmatter.

"She was such a hardworking and outstanding person!" - Juliana, coworker.

"Always made work better. Was the type of person who when they were on your shift or in your area made everyone’s life better just for knowing them." - Deek Medzadourian, coworker.

"She always tried to make all of her patients her number one priority. She was gentle and showed them all that she cared." - Sharon, coworker.

"She wore her heart on her sleeve, such a wonderful person." - Maryann Paciulli, friend.

"She was an absolutely amazing person. She was a great person who helped many people, patients and coworkers, throughout her time at CMC. She loved her husband Joe and son Brett beyond words." - Sylvia Hastick, coworker.

"She was such a positive person. She worked so very hard and took care of anyone she was given. She lost her own battle but fought others battles with them." - Jackie, coworker and friend.

"How courageous and brave she was! How she fought so hard!" - Katelyn Daley, coworker and friend.

"She was one of the best people I know." - Samantha, coworker.

"Sandra is a kind hearted soul who gave her life to protect And help those in her community." - Gianna Walters, coworker.

"Sandra loved her son and her husband beyond words. Every conversation I had with her she talked about the love she had for them. I will miss everything about her. We at CMC will miss and love her forever." - Stacie Gentile, coworker.

"A kind and caring woman who always made you laugh." - Kimberly Hitchens, coworker.

"She was a strong little warrior, a great mother, a great wife, a great friend to many." - Patricia Miller, friend.

"Has a great sense of humor makes the work a little easier." - Danica Guarda, coworker.

"She loved her patients, her husband and her son. She was dedicated and hardworking." - Donna Murphy, coworker.

"Funny and extremely kind." - Edith, coworker.

"Sandra was one of my best work friends. She had a tell it like it is attitude but treated everyone with respect. She worked hard in the ER and always put her patients' (and fellow coworkers') needs before her own. She has a son who is her world, she could talk about him for hours. They loved doing Legos together and she took him EVERYWHERE. He was truly her best friend. Everyday at work, if she saw someone struggling or even just having a bad day, she wouldn’t hesitate to go out of her way to pick them up, make them laugh, or simply do something to make their day a little better. She lost her fight to COVID on May 1, and our ER remains shattered without her. We continue to fight this virus for her and the rest of our fallen community." - Allyse Gombas, emergency room coworker.