National Grateful Patient Day is a holiday observed on September 7th every year. It’s a day that shows appreciation for the medical professionals who keep their patients healthy and safe. It’s a day for patients to give thanks to their medical caregivers with either a well-timed “thank you,” a gift card, or simply an acknowledgment of them on the internet.

It’s also a good day to spread the positive stories about medical professionals and how their actions ease suffering and extend people’s quality of life. So, on this day, all grateful patients should work to make their stories and gratitude known.

The History of National Grateful Patient Day

This holiday was created on behalf of Rolf Benirschke—an NFL player who fought a battle with ulcerative colitis, Hepatitis C, and ostomy surgery. He sought treatment and on September 7, 1980, he returned to the NFL after his illness. We’re unsure who invented this holiday on his behalf, but we do know that it was because of his miraculous comeback that medical professionals made possible.

Observing National Grateful Patient Day

Go ahead and give the medical professionals who helped you through a hard time the appreciation they deserve. Do this by thanking them in person, by letter or email, or by using the hashtag #NationalGratefulPatientDay on a well-meaning social media post.