NHPCO NewsLine April 2014 - (Page 25)

SPRING 2014 * CONTENTS NHF Donor and Hospice Volunteer Makes a Difference; page 1 We Honor Veterans Welcomes Two New Community Partners; page 2 Honor, Remember, Invest: The Tribute Project Well Underway; page 3 Running for a Cause; page 3 "I chose to give NHF a monthly gift because I believe in the dignity that hospice and palliative care provide." FHSSA is Going Global; page 4 2014 NHF Gala Raises Funds to Support Global Partners in Care (Formally FHSSA); page 5 Mercedes Ibarra NHF Donor and Hospice Volunteer Makes a Difference Mercedes Ibarra shares why she supports the hospice mission Mercedes Ibarra is a true hospice champion and her support of hospice work is evident in her actions. In addition to giving monthly to the National Hospice Foundation, she also gives of her time volunteering with a hospice provider in Los Angeles, California. Ibarra is a professional Flamenco dancer. In one month, she lost three family members and found powerful healing in her life's passion - Flamenco's transformational, empowering lyrics and movement. Along with her passion to dance, Ibarra embarked on another life-changing experience involving hospice care. From a January 2014 blog post she writes: In January [2013], I decided to volunteer for hospice. The decision to go into hospice work was very intuitive. A combination of several recent deaths in our family, reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and a series of dreams (yes, dreams) led me to feeling like I was being called to hospice work. I am so glad and grateful that I was ready to respond. I have three patients I see regularly, plus a woman who is no longer a patient (her health improved), but is now my friend. I have learned so much about myself, people, relationships, fear, and love through this work. I now cannot imagine my life without it. In fact, I am now looking into how I can make it my life's work along with Flamenco. A newsletter of the National Hospice Foundation | Spring 2014 Ibarra calls her volunteer work with hospice a blessing. "I feel I have developed such intimate relationships with my hospice patients, even though they sometimes can barely speak to me. They have made me realize not to take any moment for granted," she says. The NHF Monthly Giving program in which Ibarra participates, allows donors to make a monthly gift to help make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. As a national organization, NHF funds programs and special initiatives that have a powerful impact on hospice and palliative care across the country. "I chose to give NHF a monthly gift because I believe in the dignity that hospice and palliative care provide," she says. "Dying is the most important milestone we will all face one day. I think everyone deserves compassion, care, and respect during that time and a chance to die as comfortable and supported as possible." 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine April 2014

Gaining as Much as They Give
A Message From Don
Dementia and the Hospice Volunteer
The Volunteer Management Mentorship Program
Volunteer Virtual Conference Sessions Now on E-OL
Celebrating Volunteers! (display ad)
NHDD Now 7 Years Strong
Help an Exemplary Volunteer Get National Recognition
Member News and Notes
Advocacy Intensive June 16-17 (display ad)
Compliance Tip: Part D
High-Performance Hospice Care (display ad)
Being a Member Can Save You Money (display ad)
Links to Resources on the NHPCO Website
A Feel-Good Moment
News From NHF

NHPCO NewsLine April 2014