Thank you for hopefully supporting me in the  Annual Hospice Memorial Walk in support of Hospice Buffalo. There are only 82 days until the Walk! Yes, May is coming quickly.

Please consider walking with me and our team, the BLUEBOMBERS  as we help honor the life of Bruce Williams as we walk to keep Hospice care going in Erie County! You can also walk or give a donation in memory of your own family member or friend.

If you are not able to walk with us, I hope you'll support my fundraising efforts by making a donation to my walk page.

Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo provides exceptional care and life enhancing services for seriously ill patients and those who share their lives.

                                         Did you know? 
Many people think Hospice and Palliative Care are one in the same, but they are two different and very different care options. Hospice and Palliative Care are often not fully understood. They provide so much more than medical care that can be provided in your very own home, a hospital, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, group home or at the inpatient unit that is in Cheektowaga. They are there to help not only the patient but the entire family as well! 

My husband, Bruce was one of those patients. He had cancer in his larnyx.  He had to have his voice box removed in October 2016. He started radiation and chemotherapy shortly afterwards. Hospice began helping us in October 2018 after his doctors discovered that the cancer had gone into several other organs. They provided medical care, spiritual care, help with paperwork, became friends to ask questions and go to for help and were there for a shoulder to cry on when needed. And yet, they provided this to the patient and the family with kindness and dignity. On December 21, it was apparent that the family could not continue to give Bruce the help that was needed at this stage and he was transferred that day to the inpatient unit in Cheektowaga. Four days later on Christmas afternoon, Bruce passed away surrounded by his loving family. 

After he passed, Hospice continued to help the family through the grieving process. Part of that was his family and friends honoring his memory (and their own friends and family members they had lost as well) by walking every year in the Hospice walk since then.

I also started volunteering for this wonderful organization in administration and as a greeter in the in-patient unit in Cheektowaga. I have made many new friends there who have taught me that grief never really goes away but all you need to do is reach out to somebody for help and they will be there for you. Everybody experiences grief in different ways, and it helps to know that by giving back to this jewel in our community, it helps me with my grief and also lets me honor my husband and his life.

So, to honor Bruce and his legacy, I will walk every year for Hospice. I want this organization there for every family and individual who needs them. Will you walk with us?

 If not:

Please consider donating in support of Bruce or a friend or loved one you know who had Hospice there for them toward the end of life. Donate for those people who will need Hospice in the future- it may even be us.  Bruce made such a difference in so many kids' lives with coaching soccer (KenTon Bluebombers) for so many years. He loved those kids and made a difference in so many of their lives.  Donate now and thank you so much for your support!

Debby