Year End Letter

Category: News  |  Permalink

Published: Monday, December 21, 2009

Dear Friend,

 

Your generous support of Hospice of the Valleys this past year has made a significant difference in many lives. We thank you for giving and we salute you for your deep desire to give back to our community in a meaningful way. Below is one example of how your gifts have changed the lives of those we serve:

 

"No one could control my wife's cancer pain. She would spend most of her time lying in her bed in the fetal position moaning. When we finally called Hospice of the Valleys, the medical director knew exactly what combination of medications to use to manage her pain. The nurse walked alongside us and taught us how to care for her and what to expect. The social worker helped us make final arrangements and tie up loose ends. The chaplain ensured her dying wishes were met. In a matter of a few days, my wife's quality of life was restored and she was even able to take a ride on the back of my motorcycle - one of her most favorite joys in life - before her passing. Hospice was such a gift to us - our angels."

 

Since 1982, we have experienced many, many heart-warming stories of lives we have been able to touch and families we have walked through this most difficult process. Our patient census has grown significantly this past year and as we look ahead, we know that there are many people in our community that still die in pain and alone. We re-commit ourselves to reaching out further to educate and provide high-quality hospice care to all families and patients with a terminal illness. We never turn anyone away because of inability to pay and we know the need for charity funding will continue to increase in the coming years. We need your help to continue our important work.

 

Please consider a generous gift to Hospice of the Valleys during this holiday season of giving. You can feel good, knowing you are directing your resources toward partnering with the only non-profit hospice headquartered in Temecula Valley - and the only one that dedicates itself to the affirmation of life, relief of suffering, and compassion in loss.

 

For your convenience, an envelope is enclosed for your response.  If you prefer, you can make a secure online donation by clicking here.

 

We thank you for your partnership with us and look forward to continuing our important work together in the years ahead.

 

We wish you and yours a blessed holiday season full of joy and peace.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Terry Azkoul

Executive Director

HOV Sends Holiday Treats To Its Troops

Category: News  |  Permalink

Published: Monday, December 07, 2009

Hospice of the Valleys Sends Holiday Treats To Its Active Duty Troops

The employees of Hospice of the Valleys honored the sons and daughters
and family members of its staff who are active duty miltary by sending
care packages of home baked cookies and other treats for the holidays.
 Packages were sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, Alaska, and to bases around
the country.  Employees baked dozens of cookies, donated dozens of
additional food items, and over one hundred dollars for mailing
costs so that our men and women in uniform would have a special treat
for the holidays.

Nurses Receive Certification

Category: News  |  Permalink

Published: Monday, December 07, 2009

Hospice of the Valleys Nurses Receive Board Certification in

Hospice and Palliative Care

 

 

Hospice of the Valleys is pleased to announce that registered nurses, Shannon Holmes, Marie Jones, and Marta Sarver-Martinez recently became certified by the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN).  The NBCHPN is a national organization that advances quality in the provision of care to patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses through certification of health professionals. Certification in nursing is highly valued and provides formal recognition of having achieved a standard of knowledge in the specialty.

 

Shannon Holmes is the Director of Patient Services (DPS) at Hospice of the Valleys. Shannon's background includes experience in pediatrics, geriatrics, medical/surgical nursing at the hospitals, infusion clinics and telemetry. Shannon has always been drawn to taking care of people and her desire to work in end-of-life care came from her experience working in the hospitals. 

 

Marie Jones, Case Manager, has been a hospice nurse for 15 years. Marie's philosophy is to add quality to each day whether it was when she worked with newborns in the neo-natal intensive care unit or with geriatrics.  Marie's passion to become a hospice nurse came from her own experience working in skilled nursing facilities and being exposed to hospice.

 

Marta Sarver-Martinez, Assistant DPS, has been a hospice nurse for 15 years.  Marta's background in nursing includes oncology and intensive care. Marta also served as a missionary nurse in Colombia, South America for 10 years where she was a school and parish nurse.  Marta cares for her patients and families with a servant's heart and is a role model for many of our staff.  Marta is being recognized for her board re-certification. 

 

Hospice of the Valleys has been offering loving care to people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives since 1982. As the only non-profit hospice headquartered in the Murrieta/Temecula area, we understand that coping with terminal illness presents many challenges - physical and emotional - to the patient and the family. Our caring, experienced team of professionals and volunteers is prepared to meet those challenges and believes that no one, regardless of illness, age or ability to pay, should die alone or in pain.

Use GoodSearch as your default search engine and help Hospice of the Valleys

Category: News  |  Permalink

Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009

What if Hospice of the Valleys earned a donation every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 30 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause.

And if you download the GoodSearch – Hospice of the Valleys toolbar, our cause will earn money every time you shop and search online - even if you forget to go to GoodShop or GoodSearch first! Add the Hospice of the Valleys toolbar athttp://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/hospice-of-the-valleys