Winter - Hospice of Cincinnati

122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:07 PM
Volume 17 • Number 1 • Winter 2011
Hospice of Cincinnati
Experience. Compassionate. Caring.SM
IN THIS ISSUE
Respectful, honest care fitting for a veteran
Helping patients,
families, meet
end-of-life goals
Gary Johnson is able to spend
precious time with his wife,
Sonya, and grandchild, Maci,
3 months, in the comfort of his
home with the help of Hospice of
Cincinnati.
Page 1
End-of-Life
Partnership
supports
community
education
Page 3
Experienced
Caring: Timing is
everything
Page 4
SAVE THE DATE
Hospice of
Cincinnati
Summertime
Classic
May 22-23, 2011
Kenwood Country Club
Call 513-865-1616
for more information
Hospice of Cincinnati is
sponsored by Bethesda Inc.
in a collaborative
community partnership
with TriHealth and
Mercy Health Partners.
I
t started so innocently. Gary Johnson was
helping his wife hang curtains in their dining
room. When he held the hammer up to hit
the nail he was holding in place, his fingers
went numb and the nail fell to the floor.
After several more episodes of experiencing
numbness in his fingers, Johnson had a CT scan
that showed multiple lesions on his brain. Further
testing revealed tumors throughout his body.
Diagnosed with melanoma
in June, Johnson was
referred to Hospice of
Cincinnati after radiation
therapy failed to halt the
progress of the disease,
which had spread throughout his body.
Johnson was barely
eating and had lost a great deal of weight when
Hospice of Cincinnati nurse case manager
Jennifer Kremer, RN, first started overseeing his
care in his Norwood home. “Mr. Johnson is a
veteran and was a very active man before he got
sick,” Kremer explains. She manages his symptoms to keep him as comfortable and content as
possible.
continued on page 4
Improving end-of-life care conversations
M
ore than 90 million Americans live
with at least one chronic illness, such
as cancer, congestive heart failure or
Alzheimer’s disease. And seven out of 10 will
die from one of these illnesses, according to the
Dartmouth Atlas Project, which tracks health
care trends. In a study on end-of-life care, the
Dartmouth Atlas also reports that more than
80 percent of patients say they want to avoid
hospitalization and intensive care during their
end of life. Unfortunately, many families are
not having these difficult conversations until it
is too late, so patient wishes are not being met.
Clearly, a gap exists between the kind of
experiences patients and families desire at the
end of life and what actually happens. To help
ensure everyone in our community receives the
kind of care they prefer at the end of life, the
recently formed Greater Cincinnati End-of-Life
Partnership is supporting the use of the
MOLST (Medical Orders For Life Sustaining
Treatment) medical order form. This is an
actual physician order specifying what treatment a patient does and does not want at the
end of life.
continued on page 7
122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:13 PM
Message from the CEO
T
he chaos of the holidays has passed.
Massive to-do lists have given way
to less frenzied moments. It’s the
time of year when we slow down to
ponder events from our past and goals for the year ahead.
As I reflect on the past few years, it’s easy to recall the dayto-day business of our work. But when I think more deeply
about what matters most, I’m reminded of several poignant stories. What stands out in each of them is the heartfelt gratitude
of patients and families for the personalized care they received.
Frances is one of these patients. Shortly after arriving at
Hospice of Hamilton’s inpatient care center, she told her
nephew she was in the “nicest place” she’d ever been. Frances
was so appreciative of the care she received that she asked
friends to sell all her possessions, and she donated the proceeds
to Hospice of Hamilton. The staff graciously accepted
Frances’s $350 donation.
For Tyler, gratitude came in the form of a smiling, tearfilled face, knowing his mother was there when he received his
high school diploma. Hospice of Cincinnati staff arranged for
school officials to hand-deliver Tyler’s diploma so his bedbound mother could watch him graduate. And there was Judy,
whose gratitude surfaced when she saw her brother finally let
go as one of our music therapists played a soft and caring
song, specially selected for him, to provide a peaceful passing.
Most recently, the Johnson family experienced the difference Hospice of Cincinnati’s compassionate care can make.
(See front page.)
None of these stories would be possible without the
incredible dedication of our employees and volunteers. I am
grateful that so many have made Hospice of Cincinnati’s
trademark compassionate care their mission. I’m equally grateful to our many volunteers and community supporters who
help us through their generous donations of time, talent and
treasure every day (see page 6). This includes our newest volunteers from the Fernside PIT Crew (page 8).
I never cease to be amazed at the simple things that can
make such a difference to terminally ill patients and their families when the end is near. I am honored to be part of a community that so generously gives so Hospice of Cincinnati can
continue to help families create positive and meaningful endof-life experiences.
Warmest Regards,
Employee of the Quarter
Extraordinary nurse gives
extraordinary care
M
any terminally ill people want to
die at home. With the help of
Hospice of Cincinnati’s extensive
and caring support team, most patients get
this wish to spend their last days in the
comfort of their own homes. However,
sometimes it takes extraordinary efforts by
Kim Green, RN
extraordinary people to make this possible.
Kim Green, RN, case manager with the West Home Care Team,
is one of these people. Known for going above and beyond,
Green was named the most recent Employee of the Quarter.
Green was nominated by Melody Losey, RN, a fellow Hospice
of Cincinnati nurse, who had moved her mother to a long-term
care facility close to her home. “As my mother’s life was nearing
the end, she requested to be moved back to Indiana to die at
home,” remembers Losey. “Kim understood the problem of staying in Ohio and did everything she could to facilitate the move.
Although this may seem like part of her job, she took it a step
further. She helped us find a nearby hospice to continue the care
and arranged for transport from Ohio to Indiana.”
Losey continues, “Kim stayed in contact with us and helped
us coordinate care by contacting therapy support and other services that we were able to initiate on our own. She gave us clues of
things to look for and what kind of care to anticipate. Kim gave
me the confidence I needed to care for my mother right up until
she died. It gave me comfort to know that I did everything I
could to make my mother comfortable.”
Green’s supervisor, Vyneta Barnett, RN, couldn’t agree more.
“Whether it’s her co-workers, patients or families, Kim goes out
of her way to make her patients and families comfortable and to
back up her co-workers.”
A hospice nurse since 1995 and a Hospice of Cincinnati
employee for the past five years, Green says she gets great satisfaction helping patients manage their symptoms so they have the
best quality of life possible. “They learn that a referral to hospice
is not a death sentence—it’s just the opposite,” she explains.
“Many times I can help them feel better so they are able to enjoy
the time they have left with their family.”
Losey concludes, “Kim took the time to make sure everyone
was comfortable and knowledgeable and went above and beyond
our expectations. We will be forever grateful for her care of my
mother and of us.”
If you do not wish to receive future issues of Hospice of Cincinnati’s quarterly
newsletter, or any other future fundraising communications from Hospice of
Cincinnati of Cincinnati, Ohio, you may request to
be deleted from our mail list. Please send a letter to the below address
requesting to be deleted from the Hospice of Cincinnati mail list.
Sandra Lobert
President and CEO
ATTN: Hospice of Cincinnati List Manager Bethesda Foundation Inc.
10500 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
2
122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:19 PM
End-of-Life Partnership supports community
education program
M
ore than 100 health care professionals and community members learned about palliative and hospice
care at “End-of-Life: Healthy Living, Grieving and
Dying” at Duke Energy Center Nov. 6. Sponsored by the
Union Institute & University in partnership with the Academy of Medicine, the symposium featured local and internationally known experts in end-of-life care. The event
provided an opportunity for Hospice of Cincinnati’s End-ofLife Partnership to become involved in a community
education program focused on the many complex issues
surrounding end-of-life care.
Hospice of Cincinnati President and CEO Sandra Lobert
discussed “What, How, When and Why Hospice Works.”
Beloved therapy dog
rests forever among
those she loved
Hospice of Cincinnati
President and CEO
Sandra Lobert discusses the
benefits of hospice care.
Photo courtesy of Brandon Farmer
David Wiltse, MD, chairman, Hospice of Cincinnati Board of
Directors, and chairman, Program Committee, Academy of
Medicine of Cincinnati, welcomes everyone to the “End-of-Life:
Healthy Living, Grieving and Dying” symposium.
Tracing the roots of hospice care,
Lobert quoted Dame Cicely
Saunders, best known for her role
in the birth of the hospice movement: “You matter to the last
moment of your life, and we will
do all we can, not only to help you
die peacefully, but to live until you
die.” Lobert also reported that hospice care can in some instances
actually extend patients’ lives.
According to a 2007 Journal of
Pain and Symptom Management
report, patients who chose hospice
care lived on average 29 days longer
than similar patients who did not
chose hospice care.
Joanne Lynn, MD, bureau
chief, Cancer and Chronic
Diseases, Community Health
Administration, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services,
discussed the importance of knowing how to recognize the end of
life and the difference it can make
for patients and families.
Joanne Lynn, MD,
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, provides
information on how to better
identify end-of-life patients.
R
escued at 5 ½, Devon—a Doberman—was born to be
a therapy dog. “She loved me, but her heart was at
Hospice of Cincinnati’s Inpatient Care Center in
Anderson,” says her owner, Robin Zoller. “As soon as she got
out of the car, she’d start pulling on her leash to get inside
the door,” Zoller explains.
“The staff called her the ‘miracle on a leash,’ ” Zoller recalls. Devon would joyfully greet patients and staff alike.
Even non-responsive patients seemed aware of her presence
whenever Devon nestled her soft head under their hands.
Sadly, Devon passed away this summer from cancer. “I
thought the right place for her was at the unit, so I asked if I
could spread her ashes around the garden and pond.”
Devon’s caring spirit will forever comfort those who enjoy
the beauty of the gardens.
3
122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:26 PM
Experienced Caring
Timing is everything
A
friend recently stopped
me while I was shopping
at her business and
passionately told me the details
of her father's death. He was
referred to Hospice of Cincinnati
Rebecca Bechhold, MD, but very late in his illness. Once
Chief Medical Officer,
Hospice of Cincinnati took over
Hospice of Cincinnati
his care, his symptoms were
addressed, and he was profoundly grateful for the relief
and comfort. Unfortunately, he passed away just two
days later. My friend was angry that her father had not
been referred earlier and told me emphatically that I
should be getting the word out to the medical community about the benefits of Hospice of Cincinnati services.
So noted.
At a Christmas party, another friend was telling everyone within earshot about the fabulous services her
mother received from Hospice of Cincinnati. Her
mother had been referred when her chemotherapy for lung
cancer was no longer effective. At the time she started hospice
services, she was active, driving and socializing, albeit with a little
more fatigue. Her mother slowly required more services: a home
health aide to help her with personal care, a social worker to help
organize important papers and make certain her financial affairs
were properly arranged, and a chaplain was available for her spiritual needs. She had excellent symptom control thanks to the
nurse who had time to get to know her and was on top of
changes in her clinical situation. Her mother died peacefully at
home with her family who — though sad about her death —
had no regrets and felt that everything possible had been done to
make her last months more comfortable and peaceful.
When patients receive an earlier referral like in the second
example, better end-of-life experiences result. Timing is everything. And when the timing is right, it can mean a world of difference to patients and families.
“Experienced Caring” provides a closer look into how Hospice of
Cincinnati’s clinical expertise and care philosophies benefit patients
and families.
VETERAN continued from cover
“Jen’s an excellent nurse,” Johnson says. “She orders my
meds, tells me what I should and shouldn’t do…she’s like a
Gary Johnson recently was recognized for his service to America
by Hospice of Cincinnati as part of the Veterans Administration
Hospice and Palliative Care Initiative. He is surrounded by family
and Hospice of Cincinnati staff.
mother hen,” he notes with a grin. His appreciation of her is
evident. “She came to the benefit event my brothers and sisters organized for me. She even cooked us dinner one night,”
he says, amazed. “I mentioned that spaghetti and meatballs
sounded good, and she showed up at my door with it.”
4
In addition to medication, Kremer arranged for a hospital
bed, wheelchair and other medical equipment to make it as
easy as possible for Johnson to remain at home. The services
also have benefitted his wife, Sonya. “If I need a break, Jen
will arrange to get someone in to help,” she notes. “They’ve
told me if I want spiritual help or someone to talk to, they
can help with that, too.”
Recently, Johnson was honored by Hospice of Cincinnati
as part of the Veterans Administration Hospice and Palliative
Care Initiative. As one of 28 Hospice of Cincinnati patients
who are veterans, his service was acknowledged on Veterans
Day with a pinning ceremony, an appreciation certificate and
a patriotic-themed bear made by a Hospice of Cincinnati
volunteer.
To the Johnsons, one of the most important things the
Hospice of Cincinnati staff has provided is honesty. “Jen’s
been really upfront about what is going on and what to
expect,” Gary Johnson says. “That’s helped me come to
accept the situation and make sure everything is planned for.”
Johnson spent eight years in the Army infantry travelling
from New Zealand to Alaska to Hawaii. Today, his world is
much smaller and his wish very simple: To spend his final
days at home surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Hospice of Cincinnati is helping make that possible.
122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:32 PM
From the Foundation
Financial philosophies for families
T
he seeds of charitable giving are not automatically planted
at birth. People learn, usually over a long period of
time, the values that inspire their donations. Often, the
values we learn at home and through our faith eventually grow
into a philosophy in life.
Most important, a family financial philosophy starts with the
care of family members and addressing such basic needs as the
mortgage, medical costs and tuition bills. But most of us – and
we rarely take the time to ponder this issue – actually do earn or
possess more than we need. Though the definition of "need" is
highly personal, the value system we learn as we grow prompts
our desire to help others. After all, not all wealthy people are
charitable, and not all charitable people are wealthy. The difference then is clearly not the amount of available money. Instead,
it is the measure of compassion for others – those whom charitable organizations like Hospice of Cincinnati serve – that
makes the difference.
Gary Algie
Director, Planned
Giving/Major Gifts
Interim President
If you would like to discuss opportunities for making a difference to Hospice of Cincinnati patients and families or ways to
include Hospice of Cincinnati in your will, please call me for
more information at 513-865-1622 or send e-mail to
[email protected]. You may also visit
www.BethesdaFoundation.com and click on gift planning.
Plant your charitable seedlings
One
Annual gifts ensure that Hospice of Cincinnati will be able to
provide much-needed services to the community every year.
Two
A major gift to Hospice of Cincinnati this year lets us apply
those funds to support immediate projects.
Three
A bequest in your will demonstrates your commitment to
future generations.
Be part of 10th annual Volunteers honored at
golf classic May 22-23 Caregiver Mass
S
oon the winter-time “white stuff” will give way to lush
fairways and richly colored greens as the 10th annual
Hospice of Cincinnati Summertime Classic gets underway. The event once again will feature a dinner and silent auction Sunday night followed by golf Monday afternoon on
Kenwood Country Club’s two courses.
Last year’s Summertime Classic netted more than $120,000
for Fernside, an affiliate of Hospice of Cincinnati that supports
children and families through grief. Many opportunities exist
for corporate/individual sponsorship, dinner tickets, team play
and volunteering. Come out and help Hospice of Cincinnati
celebrate 10 years of support to Fernside! Please contact
Bethesda Foundation at 513-865-1616 for more information.
D
orothy Luebbers and Rosemary Meyer are tireless
volunteers helping to comfort the bodies and souls
of patients at Hospice of Cincinnati’s Blue Ash
Inpatient Care Center. They were honored recently at a
Caregiver Recognition Mass for this devotion to helping
those in their church and the community. Held at The
Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, the Mass was sponsored by
Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio and The Order of
Malta. “We are fortunate to have such stellar, committed
caregivers serving our patients and families,” remarks Jo Ann
Ropp, manager, Hospice of Cincinnati Volunteer Services.
Hospice of Cincinnati
volunteers Rosemary
Meyer (left) and Dorothy
Luebbers were honored
at a Caregiver Recognition Mass for their
dedication and service
to Hospice of Cincinnati
and their church.
5
122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:38 PM
Community
gives back
For more information on how to host a thirdparty fundraiser for Hospice of Cincinnati or
Hospice of Hamilton, please contact Diana Fogel
at 513-865-1617 or [email protected].
Local employees choose
Hospice of Cincinnati
T
hank you to the employees of GKN
Aerospace who chose Hospice of
Cincinnati as the recipient of $2,500
from their Foundation. GKN Aerospace
employees are given the opportunity to choose a
non-profit charity to benefit from their
Foundation each year. Several GKN Aerospace
employees had loved ones cared for by Hospice
of Cincinnati. Pictured are Hospice of
Cincinnati President and CEO Sandra Lobert
with a group of GKN Aerospace employees.
Hospice of Cincinnati President and CEO Sandra Lobert
accepts a check from GKN Aerospace Foundation for
$2,500.
Footwork for Hospice
D
ancers and tumblers at the Fabulous
Talent dance studio raised $400 for
Hospice of Hamilton with a dance-athon, organized by instructor Paula CuppRomer. Held the week before the Hike for
Hospice of Hamilton, “Footwork for Hospice”
was held in loving memory of Cupp-Romer’s
mother, who was a patient at the Hospice of
Hamilton Inpatient Care Center.
6
Feet forward for Hospice
Cincinnati Hike
The 29th Hike for Hospice of Cincinnati took place Oct. 3 with
more than 950 walkers who helped net $43,000. Jazzercise of Blue
Ash warmed up the crowd, and Cammy Dierking, Local 12 WKRCTV, served as master of ceremonies.
Presenting sponsor for Hike
for Hospice of Cincinnati
was Claire B. Phillips. Additional sponsors
included The Kaplan
Foundation, Dr. and Mrs.
Edmund W. Jones, Fort
Washington Investment
Advisors, Inc. and Therapy
More than 950 walkers hit the pavement
Support. Other key
Oct. 3 in the annual Hike for Hospice of
sponsors were Fleet Feet,
Cincinnati, which netted $43,000.
John Morrell, Caribou
Coffee, Tradewinds Beverage Company, United Dairy Farmers, Viox
Services and the Cincinnati Chapter of the GE Elfuns.
Hamilton Hike
More than 500 hikers came out Oct. 3 for the 12th annual Hike for
Hospice of Hamilton, which netted more than $42,000. Robbie’s Song,
a team organized in memory of Robbie Dalton and sponsored by
Harry’s Corner, was the premier sponsor. Mike’s Livestrong Team and
Weintraub Advertising were the Platinum Sponsors.
Other major sponsors
included: Heritage Health
Alliance, Mercy Health
Partners, Dr. and Mrs.
Edmund W. Jones, Lifespan, Rik Saylor Financial,
Miller Coors, MH Equipment Company, Fairfield
Jazzercise, the Timeline
Band, Ohio Casualty/LibPaula Cupp-Romer takes a break with her
erty Mutual, Pella Corporafamily at the Hike for Hamilton.
tion, Colonial Foundation
and Chaco Credit Union. Special thanks to Rib City for its donation of
delicious pulled pork sandwiches!
Join us for the 2011 Hikes in Cincinnati on Oct. 15 and Hamilton
on Sept. 24. For more information, please contact Jerri Spurlock at
513-865-1618 or [email protected].
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Also contributing to the success of these events are the following Bethesda
Foundation Corporate Partners who generously support our fundraising
events: American-Mercy Home Care, Amerimed, Auxiliary of Bethesda
Hospital, Bethesda Inc., CornerStone Medical Services, Fifth Third Bank,
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Harry’s Corner Flooring, HealthSpan,
Mercy Health Partners, Patient Transport Services, Claire B. Phillips, Therapy
Support and TriHealth.
122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:45 PM
IMPROVING CONVERSATIONS continued from cover
“We want to be part of the catalyst that changes the dialogue
between patients and their physicians and normalizes end-of-life
planning,” explains Hospice of Cincinnati President and CEO
Sandra Lobert. “Our goal is to help people have a better understanding of their choices.”
Bernard J. Hammes, PhD, a clinical ethicist for the
Gundersen Lutheran Health System in La Crosse, Wis.,
developed MOLST as part of the Respecting Choices program
(www.respectingchoices.org). Hammes was called on for ethics
consultation with family members of hemodialysis patients who
had become incapacitated. His job was to help the families work
through the decision of whether to continue dialysis treatments.
He discovered that in each and every case, the family had no idea
what the patient's values and goals were in terms of treatment
because they had never previously discussed care at this stage.
While more than 50 percent of Americans have advance
directives, they are typically very vague. The MOLST medical
order form includes very specific details about a patient’s wishes
for life-sustaining treatment, including: cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation, future hospitalizations, feeding tubes and antibiotic use. Because of the level of
detail, the form prompts the kind of in-depth conversations that
can help patients work through their values and goals.
“It’s our duty to provide this kind of guidance, context and
knowledge,” notes Bob Collins, MD, president for Medical
Affairs at Bethesda North Hospital. “We should approach
treatment of the dying with the same dedication and focus
we apply to the process of being born. After all, it is the one
subsequent life event that will touch us all.”
Victor Lee, MD, medical director, Mercy Health Partners
Long Term Care, explains that staff members talk with all
patients and families about DNR forms as part of the admission process to their facilities. “The MOLST form can help
expand the conversation so we really know what the patient
wants at the end of life,” he says.
“We investigated the Respecting Choices program, and
thought training front-line staff—registered nurses, social
workers and chaplains—would help make them more comfortable and knowledgeable about having these conversations,”
Dr. Lee continues.
Hospice of Cincinnati is providing financial support to
the Health Improvement Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati’s
End-of-Life Care Initiative, which is bringing trainers from
Respecting Choices to Greater Cincinnati. Doug Smucker,
MD, University of Cincinnati Department of Family Practice, is
leading the training effort. Hospice of Cincinnati education specialist Deana Birkkenheuer, RN, will become one of the trainers.
“We want to make sure everyone is treated the way they
want to be at the end of their life,” Lobert says.
Grief Support Guiding families back to life after loss
Grief support groups are available at our Anderson, Blue Ash, Hamilton and Western Hills locations. For information about these programs
and other Hospice of Cincinnati bereavement services, please call: Alan Gruber at 513-686-8120, Vivian Jones at 513-686-8139,
Claire Peasley at 513-686-8121, or Polly Peterson at 513-686-8122.
Please call the number listed for each group for more
information and to register.
BLUE ASH
Afternoon Support Groups
• Tuesdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m.; call Polly Peterson at 513-686-8122
for more information or to register.
Evening Support Group
• Thursday evenings for seven consecutive weeks; call Alan
Gruber at 513-686-8120 for more information or to register.
HAMILTON
Grief Support Group
Thursdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m.; call Polly Peterson at 513-686-8122
for more information or to register.
WEST
Afternoon Support Group
• Thursdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m.; call Vivian Jones at 513-686-8139
for more information or to register.
Evening Support Group
• Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; call Vivian Jones at 513-686-8139
for more information or to register.
Become a Hospice of Cincinnati volunteer!
Become a Hospice of Cincinnati volunteer! 2011 training dates are
scheduled for: Feb. 26, May 21, Aug. 13, and Nov. 5. All training
sessions will be held at the Blue Ash Inpatient Care Center, 4310
Cooper Ave. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Judy Russell,
volunteer services office coordinator, at 513-792-6989 or
[email protected] for more information and to register.
7
122945 122945-Bethesda $DOCPAGE 1/24/2011 7:38:51 PM
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cincinnati, Ohio
Permit No. 9177
Experience. Compassionate. Caring.
SM
Published by Hospice of Cincinnati
4360 Cooper Road, Suite 300
Cincinnati, OH 45242
(513) 891-7700
© 2011 Hospice of Cincinnati, Inc.
All rights reserved.
HospiceofCincinnati.org
Printed on Recycled Paper
Fernside alumni give back through
PIT Crew
W
hen 4-year-old Sam came running out to the car
after his first Fernside group session, his eyes were as
big as saucers, remembers his mother, Theresa
Norman. “He was so excited because all the other kids in the
group had lost a mom or dad, too,” she says.
“Fernside helped me so much
after my dad died,” remembers
Sam. “I realized I wasn’t alone
having a parent die.” Ten years later,
Sam still remembers going to
Fernside and how much it meant to
him. So when he received a letter
from Fernside asking if he would be
interested in joining the new “Philanthropists in Training” (PIT)
Crew, he jumped at the opportunity to give back.
“The PIT Crew was launched about a year ago to engage
teens in our community with an interest in our cause, ” explains
Mary McCutchen, volunteer coordinator. “In particular, teens
who have been through our program see the Crew as a way to
stay connected with Fernside.”
Sam says he and the other teens in the group have helped
out with several Fernside events since they started meeting. “We
helped serve ice cream at Fernside’s Camp Erin and helped at
the Hike for Hospice with set up and clean up, face painting
and blowing up balloons.”
Long-term, Sam says the PIT Crew is working on ideas to
help promote Fernside. “It really makes me feel good about
myself giving back to an organization that helped me so much,”
he says. Theresa agrees. “Fernside was a venue we needed to help
us get through our grieving. I think it is wonderful Sam is able
to give back.”
Philanthropists in Training (PIT) Crew members have helped
out at several Fernside fundraising events, including Hike for
Hospice. Sam Maciejewski and fellow PIT Crew member
Ellie Brown offered face painting to hikers.
Celebrating 25 years of
supporting families
Fernside begins a year-long celebration of its
25th anniversary in 2011. Look for events in
future issues of this newsletter.