"Mary Kay is a nurse with the biggest heart," says her friend and co-worker Linda Witherspoon.   

"She helps with employers, her employees and especially the families and the patients that she serves. She is just so kind and gives and I've never seen that woman angry in a day. And it's just a pleasure to be a friend with her and a co-worker."

And Mark Kay, and hospice nurses in general, have a huge emotional and medical job to deal with when helping patients and their families through the final days of a loved ones life.  

"Quite frankly we take care of people when they are nearing the last chapter if not in the last chapter of their life," says Dr. Linda Lucio, one of the medical directors at Traditions. "We have to educate the family while they want the best and they want comfort for their loved ones it's still a difficult acceptance on their parts."

Because of the passion she has for her work, Linda Witherspoon nominated Mary Kay for First Fidelity Banks and KFOR's Pay It Forward program.   

We were given the $400 cash award from First Fidelity's Haley Yager and then surprised Mary Kay with it at her office. 

With tears in her eyes, Mary Kay thanked everyone involved and told us why she has such dedication to being a hospice nurse.    

"I started in hospice because I absolutely love people number one. I love patients and I love taking care of everyone through this end of life," she said. "It's a difficult time for all these families that are going through this."  

Then it was hugs all around from friends and co-workers in on the surprise for a special woman knows the true and eternal meaning of paying it forward.

And how to win.

She and her younger sister, Abby, are now cancer free – both diagnosed at just three years old.

"Rylie got diagnosed on her third birthday, and she got to ring the bell on my birthday,” her father, Long Tran, said. “Abby got diagnosed the day after her third birthday and got successful surgery on my wife's 40th birthday. It's crazy dates, but we can stand here and talk about them being cancer free and getting to share our story of hope."

Rylie is now a senior on the Yukon High School Varsity Volleyball team. Each year, the high school chooses a local charity to support during what they call ‘Gold Out,’ and this year they chose FAITH Kids. Faith is Rylie’s middle name. It is also the name of the charity her family started after her diagnosis. While News 4 is upstairs with all the raffle items that will benefit FAITH Kids, Long Tran is on the court getting ready to talk about their charity. He has no idea he was also chosen for Pay It 4Ward.

"The goal of FAITH kids is to really be family for people going through having a child with a life threatening illness,” Jared Kennedy said. “And then on top of that Long himself provides tremendous emotional support for the parents of those kids. They've helped countless, hundreds of families."

And that is why Jared is one of many who nominated Long for Pay It 4Ward.

"Long sounds like an incredible person with such a servant’s heart, and we are all about supporting those in need and those who are fighting for a good cause. So we'd like to give Long four hundred dollars today,” Caitlin Melgar of First Fidelity Bank said.

With permission from the opposing team, the referees stopped the game to Pay It 4Ward to Long.

"My name is Joleen Chaney. I'm with News 4, and we have a program called Pay It 4Ward. We are here to help support ‘Gold Out’ by recognizing a very special person in this gym tonight, and you Mr. Long Tran have been nominated by many people."

"Thank you for being the best guy that I know,” Kennedy said. “You give more to your community than anybody."

"On behalf of First Fidelity Bank and KFOR we are presenting Long with four hundred dollars."

"Thank you! This is going to FAITH Kids,” Long said. “We connect families with other families, share resources with them, we help them pay bills, utilities, mortgages. Unfortunately we have to pay for a lot of funerals, but we do get to do some fun things, too. We do local make a wish type stuff for them."

Paying it 4ward one diagnosis, one battle, and one victory at a time.

"We started this charity to help others, because we know what it's like,” Long said.

"Deanna, on behalf of First Fidelity Bank you are the nominee for Annie and with all the things she does for her co-workers, her family, her patients and community at large, First Fidelity Bank would love to pay it forward" said Neal Clontz of First Fidelity Bank.

We headed out to surprise Annie, who had no idea of what is coming.

"Hi Annie! I'm Kent Ogle with Channel 4 and we have a little program called Pay it Forward where we honor people who do wonderful things in their community and all you co-workers have been in on the surprise today and you were nominated by Pam and Deanna and I'm going to let them tell you why" said Kent.  

"Well Annie you do so much for your patients, your co-workers, you always show how much you care, you never ask for anything in return and we just wanted to pay it forward" said Deanna.

"We love you Annie we love working with you and we just see the heart you have for you patients and your co-workers, like Deanna yes, we want to pay it forward to you" said Pamela. "And so on behalf of Channel 4 and First Fidelity Bank we would like to pay you four hundred dollars, one two hundred three hundred four hundred."

Annie loves her job and fellow caregivers. 

"Because I love them, everyone here. I've been here 17 years and everybody here has touched my heart and they are like family" said Annie. "This means the world to me guys."

Annie's co-workers put their love into action by raising an additional $400.

"Annie this is just a little extra from all of us so you can go get your tires" said Pamela. "So we matched KFOR's $400." 

"You don't know how much I needed this right now" said Annie

"You bless us every day, we love you" said a co-worker.

Hugs, tears and smiles are just what the doctor ordered for this Pay it Forward.

"Cookies for sale, 75 cents!" Erma Rollerson shouts to students in the cafeteria, who not only get lunch, but sometimes they also get a show.

"Yes, we do! We believe in you! Panthers!" Erma cheers, while getting the students to join in.

"Ms. Erma," as they call her, started cheering at a young age—and never stopped!

From the cafeteria to the sidelines, Ms. Erma's enthusiasm is encouraging to both students and their parents.

"After the game, my son was like, 'She's the best lunch lady ever. We love her so much!'" Savana Johnson said.

Seventh grade football players Micheal Tucker and Ryder Adams agree.

"It pumps us up to keep going and to not give up," Micheal said. "It makes me laugh," Ryder chimed in. Micheal replied, "It makes me happy." Ryder nodded, "It makes me happy too. We have the best lunch lady."

Ryder's mother, Ashley Adams, appreciates Ms. Erma's encouragement so much, she nominated her for a $400 Pay It 4Ward award from First Fidelity Bank.

"They are her kids. The whole team. The whole school. And the fact that she goes to any event that she possibly can, no matter what grade, no matter what sport, she's just out there, just cheering for them," Ashley said.

Ashley, Ryder, Micheal and our News 4 crew surprised Ms. Erma in the cafeteria. This time, it was the students who were cheering for her.

"All these kids are screaming for you!" News 4's Heather Holeman told Ms. Erma, as Ryder and Micheal handed over the cash.

"Thank you all! Thank you all!" Ms. Erma said as she hugged each boy, before breaking into a cheer.

"Our school is what? Dynamite! Our school is what? Dynamite!" Mr. Erma shouted along with the kids.

The lifelong cheerleader also has a second job, but when she's free, you'll find her on the sidelines, and also cheering at basketball games.

Her children are now adults. So, with no relatives on either team, why does she do it?

"I just love them all." Ms. Erma said. "To encourage them, to pump them up. To get a w-i-n, a win."

The Pay It 4Ward award had such an impact on Ms. Erma, she decided not to accept a new job offer. "I was offered another position. This right here, I'm gonna stay," she said.

"It's overwhelming, there's just no words to explain just how awesome it is. It just brings me to tears. It shows that they really care and appreciate me," Ms. Erma continued.

Ms. Erma Rollerson is the true w-i-n for nearly 900 Cimarron Middle School students.

"Who are we? Panthers! Alright! Give it up!" she cheered.

If you would like to nominate a deserving person for Pay It 4Ward, go to KFOR.Com/Nominate.

Pay It 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity Bank.