We all have a nurse in our life. And chances are, we only know a fraction of what they have to navigate each day on the job. As a hospice volunteer, I see nurses regularly trying their very best to ease the suffering of both those in the process of healing and those in the process of transitioning out of life. 

Throughout the pandemic, nurses shoulder the massive demand of additional patients and rigorous protocol. But what is often is not recognized is that they did this without the presence of volunteers who were prohibited from being in attendance.

Even now, after many of the restrictions have been lifted, I see the weight of that time that has taken its toll. And so I walk for them. Because the term “hero“ is overused without sufficient support. It’s not enough for us to place this label upon them. Let us provide them with more staff, more resources, and a more humane job so that they can continue to be the linchpin we desperately need in our medical system.

I am participating in in the Annual Walk for Hospice to raise essential funds to ensure Care Dimensions can provide expert and compassionate care to patients and their families when they need it most. Care Dimensions serves more than 2,000 patients every day, wherever they call home. 

I will join thousands of walkers who, like me, believe that patients and their families should have the most comprehensive end-of-life care possible regardless of diagnosis or financial resources. The funds raised in the Walk for Hospice safeguards Care Dimensions ability to offer sufficient nurses, resources, and vital services including the volunteer program and a family fund to help with urgent, non-medical needs. 

I hope you will support me and together, we can make the difficult paths easier.