I live in Fairmont, W.Va., about 90 miles south of Pittsburgh. In early June, I had an appointment at the Hillman Cancer Center at 10 a.m. for a CT scan (a one-year follow-up after surgery to remove a tumor last year).

My friend Carol picked me up in plenty of time to make the appointment.

We set out with a map with driving directions. We had been to Hillman before and didn't think there would be a problem. When we arrived in Pittsburgh, we found that many of the streets we normally take were blocked due to construction. Even though we tried to follow the detours, we soon found ourselves hopelessly lost and driving in circles.

This went on for over an hour. We asked some men on the street for directions but they disagreed on how to get there. I even called the security office at Hillman and talked to an officer. His directions didn't work. We were no closer to Hillman, and an hour late already.

Getting frantic, not to mention tired, we decided to stop at a gas station/convenience store on Liberty Avenue to ask for directions one more time.

All the clerks and employees were busy. I'm sure I appeared very distressed. I turned to a customer and asked her for help. She gave me very good and detailed directions, but she could see that I was still very confused. I told her I needed to write all this down. She said, "No problem. Just follow me -- I'll take you there."

I couldn't believe it! My friend Carol and I were so happy and relieved.

She pulled slowly out of the parking lot in a white van marked "Allegheny County Health Department."

She drove so that we could easily follow her. In a short time, we were approaching Hillman, she rolled down her window, pointed to our destination and waved. I was able to get my CT scan and see the doctor as planned.

When I returned home, I e-mailed the Allegheny County Health Department to find out the name of our Good Samaritan and thank her. The public information office got back in touch and told me her name is Debbie Lesesne and that she's a long-time employee of the Health Department. Her supervisors told me they were not surprised by her actions -- she is known as the sort of person who readily helps others. I am very grateful for her help.

-- PAM SLOAN, Fairmont, W.Va.

On a recent Saturday, I purchased a screen door at a local home improvement center. Since I checked the dimensions of the door before hand, I was sure that I could transport the door in my Saturn. I asked a passer-by to help me load the door. It turns out that I had missed taking into account the shock towers: the door was 2 inches too wide.

After he saw that the door would not fit, he asked where I lived. He then offered to take the door in his truck. I suddenly found being the recipient of an act of "Random Kindness" myself. He refused to accept any money for his troubles. I have to thank him again for being so kind.

-- NORBERT SLIWINSKI, Monroeville

Early last month, I was returning home from driving my sister, Sylvia, to work. My gas gauge was on E, but I thought I would make it to the nearby BP to fill up. Unfortunately, I ran out. I stalled at the bottom of Becks Run and East Agnew in Carrick.

Many people passed by. Then a young gentleman -- I found out later his name was William -- offered to purchase some gas for me. I gave him the gas can I keep in my car.

True to his word, he not only purchased the gas, he also poured it in. But he would not give me his full name or address so that I could repay him! He was truly a godsend. Thank you, William, and God bless.

-- BERNADETTE BERCIK, Carrick