Donations to Delaware Hospice
Help Us Help Others by contributing to Delaware Hospice.
Kent County's Frank Shivick of Felton, Delaware, and his wife, Linda, were devastated with the news that Frank had Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). They immediately began to search for resources and learn more about the disease and to prepare themselves for the future inevitable onset of symptoms.
Frank and Linda also found help from Delaware Hospice. They contacted Transitions Coordinator, Geri Kobasa, who immediately began communicating with the Shivick's regularly, checking on their needs and listening to their concerns. Frank said, "Geri's personality and demeanor were wonderful. She would sometimes pass by for a visit and we'd sit and talk for hours." Read more about the Shivick's story.
In Sussex County, Nancy Arocho’s life couldn’t have looked brighter when she moved from Puerto Rico to Georgetown, Delaware, in 2005, at the age of 25. A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico with a degree in Science, she had been recruited by Perdue Farms as a Production Supervisor, where she would oversee 55 employees in the processing plant.
Less than one year later, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and shortness of breath became a diagnosis of Lupus. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body when the immune system can no longer recognize good healthy cells, tissues and organs from the foreign bacteria or viruses, and begins to attack everything. Symptoms vary widely with each individual, and often include underlying symptoms of physical exhaustion and depression.
Nancy endured traumatic experiences during the next few years. A bacterial infection grew out of control and she went in a coma with collapsed lungs, failed kidneys, and two heart attacks. Waking up, she discovered that her leg had been amputated.
Nancy fell into a deep depression, but credits Delaware Hospice’s Transitions program for helping lift her out of the downward spiral.
She said, “I found a brochure about Transitions in my doctor’s office and eventually found the courage to make a call, because I felt desperate. Al Morris, the Transitions coordinator, has helped me in so many ways since then. When I’m depressed, he’s given me suggestions to cheer up, or how to move ahead. He talked about the community programs available which I might be interested in. He knew about tools that would help me to get in and out of my car. I have a Transitions volunteer, Regina Hansen, who calls weekly to find out how I’m doing or if I need anything. Delaware Hospice has helped me with paperwork for Medicaid and set me up with a vocation rehabilitation organization. “ Read more about Nancy Arocho's story.
Delaware Hospice is honored to be able to provide community outreach programs, such as Transitions, free of charge thanks to the generosity of donors.
You can help ensure that Transitions program is available to the families that need it by making a secure contribution to Delaware Hospice. On behalf of our patients and families, thank you for your support.
Each year Transitions provides services to families in need of care and support. Donations and in-kind gifts to Delaware Hospice help support hospice care for those who otherwise could not pay. They also support patient, family and community education projects, as well as volunteer training and other programs that benefit State of Delaware.
Delaware Hospice is a tax-exempt charitable organization (Tax ID: 51-025883) and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
