Improving Quality Of Life, Bringing Hope
By Kenneth L. Zeri, president and chief professional officer, Hospice Hawaii
Each day at Hospice Hawaii, we see how hospice and palliative care improve quality of life. We have seen a husband and wife reconnect as partners in love rather than as patient and caregiver; a mother find peace knowing that her needs are met and her family is no longer feeling the strain from caregiving; and a young woman able to enjoy her love of gardening while free of pain. These are just a few of our stories.
November recognizes the importance of end-of-life care as National Hospice Month. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the high-quality care that’s available during one of life’s most-challenging times – not just for the patients, but also for their family members, caregivers and loved ones.
In this spirit, Hospice Hawaii will host two very special events in November. The first, “A Night to Remember,” will provide an opportunity to honor loved ones who have passed away with an evening candlelight walk and memorial service. The event is open to the public and will be held Nov. 1 at Punahou School’s Thurston Memorial Chapel courtyard.
The second event is our Na Hoa Malama annual wine-tasting benefit fundraiser on Nov. 17. This year’s event will pair Napa Valley wines with a gourmet dinner, silent auction and celebration of a few of our patients who have made an impact on our community and our friends who have provided much-needed support.
Also in recognition of National Hospice Month, Hospice Hawaii will host an online trivia contest to further educate the community about hospice care. For example, did you know that hospice care is for all ages, it’s not just limited to people with cancer, and that services can start before a patient is bedridden? These are just some of the facts that the public will learn through our “Ready, Set, Go!” campaign with the support of Go! Airlines.
Each day during November, we will give away a round-trip interisland ticket on Go! Airlines, and once a week we’ll provide clues to a Neighbor Island prize package complete with two interisland round-trip tickets from Go! Airlines, hotel accommodations and rental car. For more information, visit hospicehawaii.org.
We invite you to join us as we recognize National Hospice Month and continue our mission to bring hope, reduce fears and impact lives.
Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.
