Bluegrass Care Navigators - Philanthropy Newsletter (Winter 2023)

WINTER 2023

Leaving a Legacy of Compassion for Others Bluegrass Care Navigators was proud to recognize Stephen

inspired him to dedicate much of his time to healthcare in

and Steve Drayton as our honorees at the 2023 National

support of those who are medically frail,” Stephen said.

Philanthropy Day luncheon in Lexington on November 8.

Steve added that, “Hospice is important to us because we

Throughout their 24 years together, the Draytons have focused much of their time on volunteering and fundraising for a variety of causes and nonprofits, including Bluegrass Care Navigators.

Through their loyal volunteer work for Bluegrass Care Navigators, the Draytons are dedicated to making a significant impact on the health of our community. “We chose BCN because we were new to Lexington, and we heard about the organization’s reputation in the community.

We have neighbors who are nurses at BCN, and Steve is a former Volunteer Coordinator at a hospice in New Jersey,” said Stephen.

In addition to having a personal connection with our team members and with hospice volunteer needs, Stephen and Steve know first-hand how essential hospice care is for individuals in our community.

know how easily one’s health can quickly change and how

vital it is to have access to quality symptom management and pain control as one prepares for the end of life.”

Recently, the Draytons decided to take the next step in their commitment to hospice by naming Bluegrass Care Navigators as a beneficiary to a legacy gift. “Leaving a legacy gift has always been our intent. We don’t have any children, and we feel that it is better to leave a gift to an organization that is important to us, rather than leaving smaller gifts to friends and extended family,” said Stephen and Steve.

“We are tremendously excited to welcome Stephen and Steve as the newest members of our Sara Kaufmann Society, “ said Laura Klumb, Vice President of Philanthropy. “Stephen and Steve aren’t just leaving a legacy gift, they are leaving a legacy of compassion for others, helping to sustain our

“Steve, in his past, was diagnosed with several potentially

hospice services well into the future and ensuring that no

terminal diseases, leading him to elect hospice care at one

one is ever turned away from hospice care, due to being un-

point. New treatments restored his health, but the impact

insured or underinsured.”

Join our Sara Kaufmann Society!

Named after one of Bluegrass Care Navigators’ most generous supporters, the Sara Kaufmann Society recognizes those who have included Bluegrass Care Navigators in their will or estate plan or have contributed a life-income gift.

If you have already included Bluegrass Care Navigators in your will or estate plan, please let us know by contacting us at 859.296.6865 or the QR Code below. We would be honored to thank you and Learn more about Planned Giving: plannedgiving.bgcarenav.org/ gift-intention

welcome you into the Sara Kaufmann Society.

By letting us know, we can ensure that we fulfill your gift exactly as you intended. Information you share will be kept confidential and we respect any desire to remain anonymous.

Support for the Whole Family Emma Powers, a music therapist with Bluegrass Care Navigators, recently began working with a patient who is bed bound and has end stage vascular dementia. She lives with her son, who is a doting caregiver in a difficult situation.

On top of the stress from caring for a very ill parent, the patient and son recently had to move unexpectedly. “He frequently shares his worries about making ends meet, as well as the anticipatory grief he feels over losing his mother,” Emma said.

During her first visit with this family, Emma provided live guitar and singing for the patient, who appeared to enjoy it and became very relaxed, giving small smiles every so often. Emma recalled, however, that “during this first visit,

I assessed that my real work would be with the patient’s

son, who suffers from anxiety and struggles to cope.”

She spent much of her time during this visit providing active listening, validating his caregiving and facilitating discussion about coping and self-care. The son expressed his gratitude for her visit, stating as she was leaving, “I think this was good for both of us,” referring to himself and the patient.

Agreeing with him, in subsequent visits Emma made aiding in the son’s coping a primary goal. One of the wonderful things about music therapy is that not only can we address the needs of the patient, but also, we often address the needs of family members. “Families experience stress, anxiety, and anticipatory grief sometimes even more acutely than the patient, depending on the situation and the patient’s level of awareness. It is important to meet whatever needs we encounter during our visits, and music therapy can provide versatile care that addresses the needs of everyone within the family unit,” said Emma.

CNA Connects Patients with Comforting Care at the Right Time Christina Nyamai, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Bluegrass Care Navigators, partners with hospice patients and families on their end-of-life journey, providing the comfort of personal care. After working as a marriage and family therapist for ten years, she felt it was time for a change. Although she knew the work of a CNA would be challenging, she has found peace, happiness and purpose in her new career. For Christina, being a CNA is about offering the comfort of presence and relationship in a difficult time.

“I’m willing to be a partner in your dying process,” she said.

“I’m willing to stand with you in this vulnerable moment and walk alongside you and your family. I love helping patients and families have what they need to get through this last leg of the journey and beyond, so they don’t have to walk alone.”

As a CNA, Christina gives a lot of baths. For her, giving a bath is an entry point.

“It’s not just a bath,” Christina said. “It’s being present in a

people, but by providing compassionate care, Christina and

vulnerable time. The families know you’re there and trust you

the clinical team built a relationship with him and helped him

to take care of their person. And there’s nothing like a bath to

maintain his best quality of life.

make a person feel human again.”

“BCN is the only place I’ve ever worked that really cares about

Christina uses some of the skills she learned as a therapist,

the empathy part,” Christina said. “You actually have time! We

such as empathy and active listening, to help her patients

often spend an hour with each person, which is unheard of.

feel seen, heard, and valued. She recalls one patient who was

But it’s great because all my patients are unique, and I get to

a veteran and lived alone without any family. He trusted few

build a relationship with each of them.”

Howlin’ Halloween Bash Thank you to everyone who joined us on October 21 in Hazard for our annual Howlin’ Halloween Bash to support the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center. Over 200 guests came together in person to enjoy a fun night of dinner, dancing, and an incredible costume contest.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Laura Feltner-State Farm Insurance and Fugate Family Chiropractic. We are grateful for all of the businesses and individuals who supported this year’s event!

Bullard Cares Day Supports BCN Thank you to the team members at E. D. Bullard for making mazes and dignity bags for our patients in the Cynthiana region.

Bullard hosts Bullard Cares Day annually and Bluegrass Care Navigators was humbled to be chosen as one of the 2023 featured nonprofits.

Legacy Making Through Integrative Medicine Thanks to the dedication and support

So, with the help of our Integrative

you share with us, we are able to provide

Medicine team, we were able to record

patients and families with legacy making

Irene’s heartbeat, combine it with an

services through our Integrative Medicine

original recording of Loretta Lynn’s

program. By incorporating these tools

song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, and

into our care plans, we are enhancing the

create a Heartbeat Song for Irene and

overall end-of-life journey for patients and

her family to cherish for generations

families, as well as promoting healing,

to come.

understanding, and lasting connections during their challenging time.

For Irene Thomas of Whitesburg,

Kentucky, leaving her legacy with her

family seemed impossible after last year’s

devastating Eastern Kentucky flooding,

As with all of our legacy making services, the Heartbeat Song program is not reimbursed through insurance, and instead is only made possible through the support of our Caring Community.

which brought immense loss to Irene’s

Services like this are not only about

irreplaceable photographs and memories

about honoring lives, preserving stories,

spanning a lifetime, were washed away.

and crafting cherished memories that

family. Treasured heirlooms, including

As we cared for Irene on her end-of-life

providing exceptional care; they are also

will reverberate for generations to come.

journey, our team learned about her

When Irene and her family experienced

incredible life; including her experience

the Heartbeat Song, they found solace

as an “extra” in the backdrop of scenes

in knowing that a new kind of heirloom

from the iconic movie Coal Miner’s

had been bestowed upon them. A

Daughter that depicted the life of music

melody that captures the rhythm of

legend and Eastern Kentucky native,

Irene’s life and her bond with Eastern

Listen to Irene’s

Loretta Lynn. Being a participant in the

Kentucky became a precious keepsake

Heartbeat Song here:

cinematic portrayal of her community,

honoring her legacy, her connection

youtu.be/rF59VaIRuI8

steeped in history and culture, was a

with Coal Miner’s Daughter, and her

proud and profound moment for Irene.

enduring ties to this region.

Patient Leaves Legacy of Perseverance Teresa Thornton was born with the odds stacked against her.

As a low-weight twin weighing only 4 lbs. 11 oz, she learned to survive from the start. Although she was diagnosed with lifethreatening asthma and dyslexia, somehow, Teresa never lost her desire to learn.

Growing up, Teresa was misunderstood by teachers and students. As a first grader, she was often put in the corner while the teacher worked with the rest of the class. Another teacher taped her dominant left hand to her desk to try to force her to become right-handed. She suffered severe asthma attacks that put her in the hospital for weeks at a time.

Yet, she was determined to persevere.

“I knew I wasn’t a dummy, and I knew something was wrong, even as a child,” she said. “Overcoming my struggles

helped me decide I wanted to work with kids because if

“I’d tell my kids that you have to keep doing it over and over

my teachers could teach me, then I could teach others.”

and over again,” she said. “It may take a while, but it will get in there. In fact, one of my students told me he could hear,

In high school, her freshman English teacher gave her the

‘Just keep trying’ in his sleep.”

chance she needed, helping her learn to write letters and numbers and even working with her on Saturdays. Teresa

As a hospice patient, Teresa continued to teach. She reminded

learned to read by placing a red dot on the left side of the

team members to cultivate a spirit of gratitude by challenging

paper to train her eyes to start reading from left to right.

them to build their bucket list at the end of each day. For her,

That teacher helped other teachers understand how to help

this was a way to appreciate the moments that occurred and

Thornton learn.

acknowledge that every day is a win.

Teresa went on to become a paraeducator at Dry Ridge

“She’s given me the gift of hope in that it’s never too late to

Elementary School where she worked for 17 years, helping

continue living and because of God’s grace and mercy, we

children like herself excel at reading, writing and mathematics.

can live again,” said Phillip Moody, Chaplain in the Cynthiana

As a paraeducator, Teresa supported students’ confidence

office. “Witnessing her determination has also reminded me

by helping them succeed at small things so they could tackle

to create space, when possible, for patients and their families

bigger challenges.

to persevere through what has come their way.”

Making an Impact for Others From an early age, Lauren and Eden’s parents taught them the importance of giving back to their community by encouraging them to organize drives for local charities. Despite the progression of a childhood disease, which led Lauren to become a hospice patient this spring, she still wanted to use her life to make a difference in the world. Together with her family, they collected donations of water, coffee, snacks, blankets, and other items to help families at the Greg and Noreen Wells Bluegrass Hospice Care Center. We are immensely grateful for their kindness.

Carrying on Legacy of Love: Bringing Smiles to Children’s Faces

Earlier this year we received a heartwarming donation that

kid she knew, and graciously gave them away to those she

embodies the profound impact one individual can have on the

didn’t. She truly loved children,” said Misty.

lives of others. This donation tells a story of love, generosity, and the enduring legacy of a remarkable woman.

In February of this year, Janice Barker of Mize, KY unexpectedly

So, in honor of their mother’s memory, Misty and her family chose to donate her collection of toys to Bluegrass Care Navigators. This decision was driven by their desire to

passed, leaving behind her adoring family and a legacy of

perpetuate her spirit of generosity and ensure that her love

love for others. She possessed an immeasurable wealth

would continue to touch many more lives.

of compassion and kindness, which she freely shared with

“As we are grieving the loss of our mom, it is our hope that this

everyone she encountered. “Our mom was truly one of a kind. She was not a wealthy person…but she was a millionaire when it came to love,” said her daughter,

donation can honor her and bring a smile to the children of Eastern Kentucky. Just as she would have wanted,” said Misty.

Misty Allman.

Since receiving this donation, our team has been able to provide

Amidst their grieving process, Janice’s three daughters and

are also grieving the loss of a loved one. Some of the toys have

husband of 43 years made a remarkable discovery, nearly one-

found a home at the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care

these toys to children throughout Southeastern Kentucky who

hundred brand new toys in all varieties stored in her home.

Center, for children to enjoy while their families visit loved ones.

While they knew she collected toys for her eight grandchildren,

Others were provided to campers at Camp Hope this year,

a great grandchild, and many other children in the community,

where they ended their day by selecting a special toy of their

they didn’t realize how many she actually had stored in her

own to take home with them. It is a true honor to carry on Janice’s

home. “She always seemed to have a toy on hand for every

legacy through this compassionate donation from her family.

Camp Hope Participants Experience a Step Toward Healing More than 40 campers and their caregivers gathered on September 16 and October 21 to participate in the Eastern and Central Kentucky Camp Hope sessions. As a free, one-day children’s bereavement camp for ages 6-17, Camp Hope offers a community of counselors, social workers, volunteers and integrative medicine specialists to provide a day of healing on the grief journey.

“What stood out the most during the day at camp was the parents and children who had never met, working together in their grief, connecting from the opening exercise to the closing,” Renee Mullins (LCSW), bereavement counselor, said.

“Challenges like the giant swing, were overcome by teamwork, communication among the parents, the children, and then as a whole group to navigate what seemed impossible and frightening.

The group of adults and children were cheering each other on by the end of the day, high fiving, and celebrating the courage to try.”

Each age-appropriate activity supported a particular grief objective, such as sharing their personal grief story, learning healthy coping strategies, developing communication skills to share feelings, and understanding the importance of remembering loved ones. All activities were led by a bereavement counselor or a social worker who is trained to help others fully process their grief, provide education and give permission and tools to express feelings.

“I feel a lot better knowing that others feel the same way and we just go day by day, and I’m not alone,” Tanielle Kemper, a Camp Hope participant, said. “It makes me feel good knowing that there’s other shoulders to lean on and you don’t have to do it by yourself.”

Thank you to WellCare and the Berea College Appalachian Fund for helping make Camp Hope possible this year through your support!

Yellin’ Helen Bowling Tournament We are so honored to be one of the recipients of the funds raised from the 15th Annual Yellin’ Helen Strike Out Cancer Bowl-A-Thon. In 2007, after a long and hard-fought battle, Helen Wichmann lost her life to Ovarian Cancer. Because of Bluegrass Care Navigators, Helen was able to pass peacefully in her own home, in a comfortable environment and with her family by her side. The Helen Wichmann Memorial Fund was established by Helen’s family to show their gratitude to hospice, helping others who have been affected by cancer and continuing to celebrate her life and honor her memory. We are so grateful for the Wichman’s long and dedicated support to Bluegrass Care Navigators and its mission.

Registration for the 16th Annual Yellin’ Helen Strike out Cancer Bowl-A-Thon opens in 2024 and you can find out more information about the event here: yellinhelen.org

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID

1733 Harrodsburg Road Lexington, KY 40504

Lexington, KY Permit #199

Serving Kentucky since 1978

Thank You for 45 Years of Support!

For 45 years, our Caring Community

we can deliver complementary care

has helped Bluegrass Care Navigators

to hospice patients through art, music,

become a national leader in providing

massage, and animal-assisted therapies,

expert and compassionate care to

promoting symptom relief, reduced

individuals on their end-of-life journey.

anxiety, and providing space for loved

YOU enable us to go above and beyond

ones to share and create new memories

for our patients and families.

with one another.

Your compassion ensures that no one

And your kindness lets us celebrate

is ever turned away from hospice care,

life’s special moments with our patients

no matter their circumstances, and

and families, which can help improve

allows us to support individuals who are

their quality of life by focusing on what

uninsured or underinsured through their

brings them happiness.

end-of-life journey.

Your impact is felt by countless

Your generosity makes programs like

individuals across our Commonwealth,

Integrative Medicine possible, so that

and with you by our side, we will be

bgcarenav.org | 859.276.4404 | Bluegrass Care Navigators | 1733 Harrodsburg Road | Lexington, KY 40504 ©2023 Bluegrass Care Navigators | The agency is committed to creating a diverse environment and complies with Equal Opportunity and Title VI guidelines. Employment with Bluegrass Care Navigators®, as well as our services, are available to all qualified individuals. We embrace and celebrate differences of persons of varying age, ethnicity, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, political affiliation, socioeconomic and family status, geographic region, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

It is the policy of Bluegrass Care Navigators® to implement fair and effective personnel policies and to require all employees to serve the organization’s mission and values.

equipped to navigate the next 45 years of care and beyond for our patients and families.

Check out this special thank you video from our team! youtu.be/F3WKfAaqVoI0