Recently, as part of our We Honor Veterans program, we visited a patient to honor and thank him for his service to our country during World War II. His wife had served as a nurse during the war and continued in that profession for 50 years.  This picture is from the day they were married in Nashville 71 years ago. Happy Valentine's Day!

We were delighted by the interest and conversations generated by Dr. Thomas Smith, Director of Palliative Care at Johns Hopkins, our guest speaker during our 7th annual lecture series. His message to  physicians, individuals diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, and to everyone with the "fatal disease called life" (!) is to have the conversation about end-of-life plans long before end-of-life circumstances occur.

Click here (39 minutes) to hear Dr. Smith's message to our community and here (57 minutes) to hear his Memorial Health UMC Grand Rounds presentation to physicians and other healthcare providers. (Dr. Smith is pictured with our President and CEO, Debra Anthony Larson.)

Congratulations to volunteer William Kirkland of Guyton who was awarded the Effingham Rotary's Herb Jones Volunteer of the Year award and a $500 check for Hospice Savannah. Despite his medical appointments and numerous trips to Atlanta in hopeful preparation for a double lung transplant, Will has managed to log 400 volunteer hours helping Hospice and Steward Companion patients both in their homes and in nursing homes.   For the past three years, he has also been a camp counselor at Camp Aloha, our weekend grief camp for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one. A gentle man who shows true compassion to grieving children or adult patients, Will is truly the epitome of selflessness. Thank you, Will! (Will, center, is pictured with his pastor, Dr. F. Thomas and Dr. Alicia Thomas.)

As we said above, letting your loved one know your treatment preferences and advance directives ahead of time is truly giving them a loving gift! We recommend this informative article from The Washington Post entitled, "When should I start thinking about hospice care, for myself or a loved one?"

Consider honoring or remembering your loved one by making a donation to our Daily Impact Fund or by contributing an item on our Wish List. This month we suggest pajamas (adult sizes for men or women) and non-slip slipper socks to help keep our homecare patients cozy and warm; or individually wrapped snack food items such as granola bars, peanuts, chips, or single-portion microwavable mac & cheese, for families visiting their loved ones at Hospice House. To fulfill  a wish, please contact Jennifer in our Foundation at 912.629.1055.

This last image is from a recent wedding our staff and volunteers planned for a homecare patient.  Chaplain Jeff married the couple in our meditation room at Hospice House, and a wonderful reception followed in the living room. Thanks to volunteer Charles for beautician services; to volunteer Kelly for music; to volunteer Marilyn for providing a wedding dress; and to volunteer Vanessa for her wedding photography. May we all have loving memories to make us smile this Valentine's Day.