Dateline - Hospice Buffalo

Hospice Memorial
Walk Has a
New Location
Join close to 3,000 other walkers on Sunday, May 17, 2009
at our new location – the Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf
(next to HSBC Arena and the Naval Park). Register on-line at
www.hospicememorialwalk.com and start fundraising today!
September 2001 was a memorable one for
most of us. In my family’s case, it was a roller
coaster of emotion. The horrific events of 9/11
were followed, within less than two weeks, by
my mother’s diagnosis of stage 4, inoperable
lung cancer and my brother’s wedding. It was
a bittersweet time for us.
After a number of rounds and types of
chemo, my mother opted to cease treatment
in favor of quality of life. She wanted to spend
the time she had with her family, enjoying her
grandchildren, traveling, and living her life as
normal as possible.
In July 2004, the doctors told my mother it
was time to call Hospice. When her pain got
the best of her in the wee hours of the morning
one night in September, Hospice was called,
and jumped into motion to get mom into the
Hospice Inpatient Unit. There was never a
time when my mother did not receive the best
of care from anyone at Hospice.
Words cannot describe the gratitude my
family and I have for Hospice, nor can we
explain how the dying process for my mother
allowed her to live out her final days with
dignity and grace. For the ultimate care,
concern, and yes, even love that Hospice gave
to my mother and my family during her last
months, we are forever indebted to this amazing
organization and the people employed there.
For this reason, I give my time and support to
Hospice as much as I can.
I am proud to once again serve as the Chair of the 13th Annual Hospice
Memorial Walk, as well as the Team Captain of “Peg’s Pack,” in memory
of my mom. I ask that you consider walking and/or organizing a team in this
year’s Memorial Walk on Sunday, May 17th at the Erie Canal Harbor
Central Wharf.
Sincerely,
Amy Graff
11
Do you need a speaker for your workplace, faith
organization or club?, Continued from page 1.
Hospice Buffalo and Life
Transitions Center offer outreach
programs to educate members of
the community about:
• Taking Control of Your Health
Care – Share Your Wishes! –
See www.sharingyourwishes.org
for reference. Hospice Buffalo is
the local lead on this large project.
• Taking Care of Yourself While
You Care for Your Loved One –
we train caregivers how to keep
balance in their lives – there are
thousands of caregivers!
• Coping with Grief – practical
tips to help you and your family
• Hope with Hospice – an
overview of the Hospice Medicare
Benefit and Hospice care
It is best to be equipped with the
knowledge necessary to make the
choices when faced with the
serious illness of those we love.
We would
greatly appreciate
the opportunity
to come and
speak to your
work group,
church or
synagogue, social
or civic group
about the
programs and
services Hospice
Buffalo and Life
Transitions
Center can offer.
To request an
Our
educational
programs,
offered
on-site
at your
workplace,
can help.
educational program, call Amy
Maxwell at (716) 989-2009 or go
online to www.hospicebuffalo.com
and click on “Contact Us”page.
We look forward to serving you!