People Caring for People
May is always a meaningful month at Hospice.
It's a month when we celebrate our nurses, raise awareness about hospice and palliative care, and take a moment to reflect on the people and experiences that remind us why this work matters so much.
During National Nursing Week, we had the chance to celebrate the incredible nurses who care for our residents and families each day. I often think people see nurses as the ones who provide medications and medical care—and they certainly do—but they are so much more than that. They are a calming presence during difficult conversations, a reassuring hand to hold, a familiar face in the middle of the night, and a source of comfort when families need it most. They bring compassion, kindness, and dignity to every interaction, and Hospice simply wouldn't be the same without them.
May was also National Hospice Palliative Care Week, which got me thinking about something we don't often talk about enough: access to hospice care. Most people don't think about Hospice until someone they love needs it. Then suddenly, having a place that feels like home, surrounded by specialized care and support, becomes incredibly important. The reality is that our region continues to grow, but hospice resources have not kept pace. With only 10 hospice beds serving more than 570,000 people, too many families find themselves waiting at a time when every moment matters.
Another highlight of May was Handbags for Hospice. What an incredible night it was. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised an outstanding $245,000 for Hospice care. I am amazed by the people who show up to support our mission, our sponsors, volunteers, donors, committee members, and guests. The funds raised will help provide comfort, dignity, and care for residents and families while supporting the many programs and services Hospice offers throughout our community.
One of the things I love most about Hospice is that our care doesn't stop with the resident. We care for families, caregivers, and those who are grieving too. Whether it's a nurse sitting quietly at a bedside, a family finding comfort in a difficult moment, someone attending a grief support session, or a donor helping make these programs possible, it all comes back to the same thing: people caring for people.
That's what Hospice is really about.
It's about showing up for one another. It's about making space for grief, for healing, for laughter, for tears, and for connection. It's about making sure that no one has to face the end of life—or the grief that follows—alone.
As I look back on May, I'm reminded how fortunate we are to be part of a community that believes in that kind of care. To our nurses, volunteers, donors, families, and supporters, thank you. Your compassion makes this work possible, and your kindness continues to touch lives every single day.
