American Cancer Society

ACS honored for supporting hospice care

The American Cancer Society has been a vocal advocate for palliative and hospice care for years, and it is because of those efforts that the society is being honored by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine with a Presidential Citation Award. In a press release, AAHPM president Sean Morrison explained more about the reasoning behind the award:

"The American Cancer Society has truly been a leader in promoting palliative care for persons living with cancer," said R. Sean Morrison, M.D., FAAHPM, president of the AAHPM Board of Directors in a letter to the American Cancer Society. "Your efforts to foster and fund palliative care research; educate the public on the benefits of palliative care for persons living with serious or life-threatening illness; and promote effective healthcare policy that improves quality of life for persons living with cancer and other serious illness are just a few of the reasons why the American Cancer Society is so deserving of this recognition."

Organizations like the ACS have been part of the reason that hospice is both more effective and better understood than ever, which means more people are getting the care they need.

Making Dreams Come True

Hospice care patient lives his dream

Hospice Care Corporation and the Dream Foundation work together to grant wishes to terminally ill patients, brightening the lives of those who live with tough circumstances. Most recently, HCC patient John Bennet got that wish, as described in this article, courtesy of WBOY 12 TV:

VOLGA -- What if you were terminally ill and you had one last wish?

Barbour County cancer patient John Bennett is getting that one last wish, thanks to the Dream Foundation. He has terminal cancer and functions under hospice care at his Volga home he shares with wife Cyrena.

"I have no idea how much longer I have left. I just sit each day and worry when the next day will be," he said.
 
"In the past year and a half I've seen him go through a lot that no woman should have to see her husband go through," Cyrena said.
 
But Monday, the couple got a sweet Valentine from volunteers for the Dream Foundation: they're sending the Bennetts on an all-access VIP trip to the Daytona 500, all for one reason.
 
"I've been a [Dale Earnhardt,] Jr. fan ever since he's been racing and I'd just love to have the chance to talk to him," he said.
 
His wife said nothing gets between John and his NASCAR.
 
"Sunday is race day. My phone does not ring. No company. He sits right here in front of the TV and if Junior wrecks you can hear him five miles down the road," Cyrena said.
 
"We want to make their dream come true in life like John got today. It's a bunch of volunteers and philanthropists that provide money to fund this and then we get to deliver it out in the field," said Dr. Michael Cilella, a volunteer for the Dream Foundation.

The Bennetts will fly to Florida and stay in a hotel, all courtesy of the Foundation.
 
Maybe that's why now, they believe in dreams.

"It makes his dream come true to meet his ultimate race car driver. That's what this is all about. This is his day," Cilella said.

"It's definitely going to give me some more good memories while I'm here," John said.

If you'd like to volunteer for or help the Dream Foundation, you can find more information through the link below.

Related Links:
- Dream Foundation

Dispelling Hospice Myths

Hospice care is about living well

Vailia Dennis says she is living proof that entering hospice doesn't mean you die on anyone else's timetable.

Dennis, 91, of Rancho Bernardo, Calif., signed up for hospice care 6½ years ago, after she was diagnosed with a fatal heart condition. At the time, she was told she'd have six months to live.
"The illness, the heart condition that I have, is one that should have and could have caused my death a long time ago, and just hasn't done it up until now," Dennis said. "Nobody knows why, and that's OK by me."

Dennis was 85 when her doctor gave her the bad news.

"The doctor wanted me to go in for open heart surgery," she said. "I refused, and I thought it made a lot of sense. I've seen people my age go in for open heart surgery and, when they come out, they aren't the same. They are more fragile."

Dennis promptly called San Diego Hospice and signed up for its care. She already knew that hospice care was what she wanted and needed.

"I have had three members of my family die at hospice," she said. "Hospice, to me, is like handing my problems to an angel. That's the way I feel about hospice."

This quote, from a Caring.com article, is a wonderful story because it demonstrates the fact that entering hospice care is not a death sentence. There is often a misconception of hospice as simply a place to die, when in fact it is everything but. With a focus on comfort allowing patients to enjoy life on their terms, hospice care is a proven choice.

New Hospice Care Store

Come down and see!

Plans for Hospice Care Corporation's updated thrift store have been in the works for some time, as the old one had simply outgrown itself. The new location, at 317 Market St. in Fairmont, WV, has several improvements, as described in a story by Channel 12 WBOY's Lisa Robbins:

The new thrift store is located at the corner of Market Street and Columbia Street, and is about twice the size of the original store.

"We wanted an opportunity to have a larger space so we could have some furniture and larger ticket items that would increase our sales, and be things that people really want," said Cynthia Woodyard, VP of Public Affairs for Hospice Care.

The non-profit uses the money it makes at the stores, and puts it towards people who need hospice services but are unable to afford them.

"My parents both died from cancer, and I was the caretaker. I know how important it is for people to have that opportunity for hospice care because it's so demanding on the families," said volunteer Sharon Curry.

"This is a way for the community to give back to its friends and families. All of the merchandise in this store is donated by people in the community," said Woodyard.

Hospice Care Corp's nonprofit services are entirely funded by donations, fundraisers, and purchases from this store. Come on down for good deals and a good cause!

Hearts for Hospice

HCC kicks off fundraiser

We're exciting to have launched another Hearts for Hospice campaign, and look forward to seeing those hearts in businesses across the state! Kelly Rippin and WBOY 12 TV recently interviewed Hospice Care Corp's Cynthia Woodyard for more details:

CLARKSBURG -- During the month of February, seeing hearts in businesses is pretty common, but some of those hearts are on display for a cause that often goes unnoticed.

"February is our annual Hearts for Hospice campaign. It's where we have a heart for our patients and families and we hope you'll have a heart for hospice," explains Cynthia Woodyard with the Hospice Care Corporation.

"It’s an important service both for the patient and family because they help people get through those hard times."

Hospice care can be a sensitive topic for some, and the campaign hopes to raise not only money, but awareness of how important it is to the community.

"Hospice is not something that people really want to talk about or think about until the time comes. And February is a time for us to raise the awareness that hospice services are out there. It's an option for people to provide quality of life. And it’s another way for the community to get involved and raise money for patients and families who need our services," adds Woodyard. 

As a non-profit, Hospice Care Corporation needs funding to continue to provide quality care.
"Some of their services may not be covered by Medicare, so they still have to provide the service, so they use outside funding, such as fund raisers like this" 

"We provide care for a variety of cases. We do not turn people away. No matter if they have insurance or don't have an ability to pay. There's also complicated cases and expensive treatments. Other hospices don't necessarily take these cases due to the fact that it costs. And because we're community based and community owned that's one of the things that we really do. It’s part of our mission. It's why we've been here 27 years and why we're going to be here for decades to come," says Woodyard.

It’s not too late for a business to join the “Hearts for Hospice Care” campaign. Contact Cynthia Woodyard at cwoodyard@hospicecarecorp.org.

Hospice is Comfort

Why patients prefer hospice care

"I don't know about you, but when I'm sick and not feeling good, I'd much rather be at home," said J. Donald Schumacher, president and chief executive of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, a nonprofit group of hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. "I think dying is the same way. If you're going to die, it's better to be in your own environment and away from the high-technology setting of the hospital."

This quote, from a Caring.com article, explains one of the largest reasons why more and more people are choosing hospice care over aggressive hospital treatment. With a focus on pain management and comfort creating a better environment for patients and their families, those who wish to make the best of the last stages of their lives take advantage of hospice.