Heart transplant patient Delander Moore made his voice heard in the election through a special program offered by Cedars-Sinai. (photo courtesy of Cedars-Sinai)

Delander Moore, a Cedars-Sinai Medical Center patient, had much to be happy about on Election Day. Just days after receiving a new transplanted heart, Moore learned he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to vote and cast his ballot from his hospital bed.

“This is a great moment,” said Moore, 65, after voting. “If you vote, that’s your power, and I want to use mine.”

Moore was among dozens of patients participating in a two-day program allowing them to cast ballots from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. On Monday, hospital employees distributed applications to vote so the county could determine eligibility. A Cedars-Sinai employee brought the patients’ completed applications to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office for processing. On Election Day, Cedars-Sinai employees picked up the ballots for eligible patients and brought them to their rooms. Employees later returned the completed ballots for counting.

“In every election, we work to help our patients have their voices heard and their votes be counted,” said Camille Camello, director of Volunteer Services for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who organized the project. “This year was complicated by COVID-19, but we are committed to helping our patients exercise their right to vote.”

Moore added that he was happy that his heart transplant surgery didn’t prevent him from taking part in the election.

“When I got the call that they had a heart for me, I thought I would have to sacrifice my vote,” Moore said. “But now, I get to have my say.”

For information, visit cedars-sinai.org.