SPRING 2021
Empowering Hospice “Angels” “Our hospice nurse was like an angel who swooped in and helped bring clarity to a fuzzy situation where those of us with no knowledge or experience had any idea what to do. All I wanted was for my dad to be cared for in the best possible way, and she seemed to know exactly how to do it.” - A grateful daughter At Whatcom Hospice Foundation, we frequently receive notes from grateful family members referring to the Whatcom Hospice team as “angels” who made the passing of a loved one as peaceful, comfortable and natural as it could possibly be. We could not agree more – they truly are angels! Our compassionate team of caregivers and volunteers dedicate their lives to helping people through the end-of-life crisis, and your philanthropic support enables them to go the extra mile to ensure the the physical, spiritual,
and causing him pain, but this therapy was not covered under the Hospice Medicare benefit. Your gifts paid for treatment, enabling us to keep Mike more comfortable in his final days.
emotional and practical needs of patients and their loved ones are met. Your gifts empower the team to help in ways that insurance and Medicare just don’t cover. Sometimes even the simplest things make a big difference. Our patient Katherine lives in a nursing facility and is blind. She wanted to listen to audiobooks but was unsure how to do that. Thanks to you, Katherine’s volunteer purchased her a CD player and her favorite audiobook. Of course there are bigger, more expensive needs too. Mike required palliative radiation therapy to shrink a tumor that was pushing on a nerve
Sherri had been caring for her elderly father, Bob, in her home for ten years, and Whatcom Hospice had the privilege of helping her care for Bob during his final seven months. Shortly before Bob passed away, the hospice chaplain suggested that Sherri and her husband take a couple days away to rest and refresh. They were so grateful to learn that your gifts covered the cost of Bob’s care during their brief, but much needed break from continuous 24/7 caregiving. Whatcom Hospice currently cares for more than 225 patients on an average day, and your generosity plays a huge role in making sure every single one of them is as comfortable as possible, and that their loved ones feel supported through the end-of-life journey.
As a hospice partner YOU are an “angel” too! Thank you!