Literature Review

All posts tagged with “General News | Inspirational Stories.”



17 "Spooky" things that happened right before terminally-ill patients passed away, according to nurses who saw it first-hand

06/03/25 at 03:00 AM

17 "Spooky" things that happened right before terminally-ill patients passed away, according to nurses who saw it first-hand BuzzFeed Staff; by Raven Ishak; 5/31/25 "At the beginning of my shift, my patient kept pointing to a corner of the room and said to me, 'Do you see them?" ... When medical professionals work closely with patients who may pass soon, a lot of "supernatural" things may occur. So we thought to ask the BuzzFeed Community, "Nurses with dying patients, share with us the most unexplainable things you've ever witnessed." Here's what they said below: ...

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The importance of humanity in internal medicine

06/03/25 at 03:00 AM

The importance of humanity in internal medicine I.M. Matters from the American College of Physicians; President's Message by Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP; June 2025I recently attended the funeral of one of my long-time patients, who had required hospice care after a long battle with heart disease. Many of us have had the experience of telling a patient and their family that their disease has progressed and we have reached the limits of medical science. In training, we are taught to be compassionate but professional, maintaining a certain level of emotional detachment ... As internal medicine specialists, we have the awesome responsibility and privilege to be the doctor for our patients through decades of their life experiences and to offer them not just medical science, but also humanity and comfort. ... One of the greatest acts of charity a person can perform is to attend someone's funeral, as it is the only act of kindness that cannot be reciprocated. This patient had been in my practice for almost two decades, and I had the privilege of taking care of both her and her husband.Editor's note: Re-read this powerful statement, "One of the greatest acts of charity a person can perform is to attend someone's funeral, as it is the only act of kindness that cannot be reciprocated." 

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Jewish hospice volunteer goes beyond ‘Shabbat blessings’ with ‘Froth and Bubble’

06/03/25 at 02:00 AM

Jewish hospice volunteer goes beyond ‘Shabbat blessings’ with ‘Froth and Bubble’ Jewish News; by Shannon Levitt; 5/20/25 Jeff Lewis, 71, had about 100 boxes of books with him when he moved to the Valley from California more than a decade ago. Surprisingly, those books became his first link to Hospice of the Valley (HOV), an organization that would become very important to him through the years. ... Thus, when he decided to retire from his photography business but wanted to stay busy, his friend again nudged him toward HOV and its Shabbat Blessings volunteer program. ... As a Shabbat Blessings volunteer, Lewis, a member of Temple Solel in Paradise Valley, offers hospice patients a small Shabbat service, including lighting Shabbat candles, saying the Hamotzi and Kiddush blessings and offering small prayers. [Story of patient financially choosing between medicine and food.]  ... [Lewis} started buying $75 grocery gift cards to give away. [This developed into] The Froth and Bubble Foundation for Food Assistance. Editor's note: This inspirational Shabbat blessings story tells the rich background behind our 3rd top-read story from last week, Hospice volunteer donates 10,000 gift cards to cancer patients. Scroll to the end of this story for the meaning behind the name "Froth and Bubble." 

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A student film explores an end-of-life story: How Jingyi Li created the documentary that swept the Redstone Film Festival

05/30/25 at 03:00 AM

A student film explores an end-of-life story: How Jingyi Li created the documentary that swept the Redstone Film Festival Boston University, College of Communication, Boston, MA; by Mike De Socio; 5/27/25 When Jingyi Li set out to create a documentary about healthcare for elders, she struggled to find a family willing to sit in front of her camera. Li (’25) was inspired by the power of filmmaking to create social impacts, and wanted to explore hospice care in Chinese culture. The interest stemmed from Li’s experience interning at a local hospice care center in Yunnan Province, China, where she witnessed the complexities and cultural sensitivities involved in providing care for terminally ill patients within Chinese families. With the help of a hospice and palliative care service in Boston, Li started reaching out to Chinese families about filming the end-of-life process, but many rejected her request. ... She eventually found a “brave family” whose roots in the US date back to the mid-20th century. Li says the family’s “mix of Chinese and Western culture” made them more amenable to being filmed.  ... The resulting short documentary, named Pópo for the elder at its center, went on to win a bevy of awards at this year’s Redstone Film Festival, including best film and best documentary. 

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‘A missed opportunity’ for small systems needing nurses

05/29/25 at 03:00 AM

‘A missed opportunity’ for small systems needing nurse Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Mariah Taylor; 5/8/25  In February, South Dakota officials approved the state’s first registered nursing apprenticeship program through Huron Regional Medical Center. The apprenticeship is designed to attract English-as-a-second language nurses into the field, Sioux Falls Live reported May 7. The program was started by Norma Torres Ortiz, RN, a travel nurse contracted with Avera Health who works part time at the Huron Regional Medical Center. Ms. Ortiz is originally from Puerto Rico where she worked as a nurse. When she moved to the U.S., she found herself struggling to pass the NCLEX and find a nursing job due to language barriers. ... Large systems are building international nursing programs that recruit and hire nurses through work visas; however, smaller systems don’t have the funds to hire large numbers of international nurses through an agency. This is where a nurse apprenticeship program can fill the gap. Huron Regional Medical Center launched its practical nursing apprenticeship in 2018. ...

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All You Need is Love

05/29/25 at 03:00 AM

All You Need is Love The Republic; by Sharon Mangas; 5/28/25The call came in at 4:00 a.m., waking me from a deep sleep. It was the kind of call that puts you on high alert; like when you have a teenage driver at home, or a mother-in-law on hospice care. ... “Hello. Is this Sharon Mangas? I’m calling from the hospice center. I wasn’t able to reach Mike. I’m sorry to share this news…your mother-in-law, Carmen, passed away a few minutes ago.” ... To the best of my knowledge, I was privy to her last spoken words to family. After Mike and I helped Carmen settle in at the Hospice Center near midnight Saturday, May 3—barely 24 hours before she passed—I bent over to tell her we’d see her in the morning. She looked deeply into my eyes and said, “I love you, Sharon.” I took her hand gently and said, “I love you, too.” ... As the first daughter-in-law in Carmen’s orbit, the two of us had occasional dust-ups and misunderstandings that challenged our family bond. But we shared a lot of love, too, and love is healing. 

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Lanterns light up the sky in east Wichita to remember lost loved ones on Memorial Day

05/28/25 at 03:00 AM

Lanterns light up the sky in east Wichita to remember lost loved ones on Memorial Day ABC KAKE, Wichita, KS; by Jocelyn Schifferdecker; 5/26/25 About a hundred lanterns lit up the sky Monday night at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice memory garden in East Wichita. Each lantern floating on the water told its own special story. [Candace] Dudley says [her husband] Ricky died about a year and a half ago from colon cancer. ... She says she misses him every day and she's thankful for Lanterns of Life because it gave her an opportunity to remember him. "My heart is full tonight. Making his lanyard, I made it very special ... I did all four sides with a lot of thought and put a lot of love into it because he was the love of my life," she said while holding back tears.The event is arranged by Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. Organizers say they hope lighting a lantern for their lost loved one will bring them peace in some way. ... The event also featured food trucks, music, and more. This was the first year the hospice held it but it says it doesn't plan for it to be the last.

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85-year-old philanthropist has quietly given millions to health causes in Bellingham

05/28/25 at 03:00 AM

85-year-old philanthropist has quietly given millions to health causes in Bellingham  Cascadia Daily News, Bellingham, WA; by Charlotte Alden; 5/22/25Amy Chan Wolsdorf, former day trader, has donated funds for a new dementia center, Amy's Place. Amy Chan Wolsdorf gets up at 2 a.m. every morning, eats breakfast, preps her meals for the day and goes to the gym. Then, she checks the stock market. Wolsdorf, 85, is a self-taught stock market whiz who has amassed her wealth with smart investments, including in Microsoft, she said. Standing at 4 feet, 8 inches, the slight, gray-haired woman from Hong Kong doesn’t match the stereotypical image of a stock trader. ... Since she began accumulating her fortune, Wolsdorf hasn’t held onto it for herself: She’s given much of it away. ... In 2018, she was honored as PeaceHealth’s Philanthropist of the Year, after nearly 20 years of donations and 45 “significant gifts” at the time. She donated to cancer research, cardiovascular services, palliative care, women’s and children’s services, and more, totaling around $2.4 million in donations, according to PeaceHealth. ... [The article also mentions Whatcom Hospice in Belllingham.]

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"Taps" Bugle Call: USMC Drum & Bugle Corps [YouTube]

05/26/25 at 03:00 AM

"Taps" Bugle Call: USMC Drum & Bugle Corps [YouTube]YouTube, filmed at the National Mall, Washington DC, retrieved from the internet 5/22/25Editor's note: We invite you to start this Memorial Day with this reflective playing of "Taps," with backdrops of the Washington Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and more. Ongoing, we share with you these resources below for the veterans and their families whom you serve.

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Hospice volunteer donates 10,000 gift cards to cancer patients

05/26/25 at 02:00 AM

Hospice volunteer donates 10,000 gift cards to cancer patients AZ Family - CBS-5, Phoenix, AZ; by Tianna Morimoto; 5/20/25 One Valley man has made a difference in times of need for those who may be losing hope by donating thousands of gift cards, and that’s Something Good. Jeff Lewis volunteers with Hospice of the Valley and was recently recognized for donating 10,000 grocery gift cards to help cancer patients in need. Jeff is a cancer survivor and has made it his mission to help those going through treatments with no family or support. He created a nonprofit called the Froth and Bubble Foundation. Every month, the foundation provides gift cards to more than 100 people in the Valley who are struggling financially. Often, these patients have to decide between paying for food, medicine or doctor bills, and these gift cards can help them with their bills or other necessities to survive. ... “These gift cards help families bridge the gap when they need food and are juggling bills and feeling stressed,” said Hospice of the Valley Executive Director Debbie Shumway. “He is a servant leader who quietly gives back and makes a huge difference, one person at a time.” Thank you, Jeff, for all you do to help others!

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Finding Solutions: Local group makes flowers for everyone

05/23/25 at 03:00 AM

Finding Solutions: Local group makes flowers for everyone WRDW-12 & WAGT-26, Augusta, GA; by Zayna Haliburton; 5/21/25 Flowers are something that can put a smile on someone’s face, whether you’re receiving or giving them. For one local group, they’re making bouquets to bring to nursing homes, shelters and hospitals. They’re now finding solutions in asking the community to consider donating their leftover flowers from weddings and events in order to brighten someone else’s day. “These are going to go to hospice patients that a part of Enhabit Augusta, ..." said Patricia Proctor, co-owner of El Rey and founder of non-profit Corazón Bonito ... which translates to "beautiful heart" in English. 

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Sixteen years with leukemia taught me to savor life

05/22/25 at 02:00 AM

Sixteen years with leukemia taught me to savor life Cure; by Michelle Lawrence; 5/21/25 I’ve lived with large granular lymphocytic leukemia for 16 years and have learned to spend my energy wisely, embrace palliative care and choose joy over anger. ... It has been an exhausting journey, but I am blessed to have survived 16 years. ... In the beginning, I didn't care; I told everyone because I was treatment-focused, but now I am focused on quality of life. Cancer has robbed me repeatedly. Peers and family members are married and have careers and families. They plan birthday parties and playdates and worry about their kids’ homework. I celebrate the fact that I could take a shower and get dressed by myself. I grieve for those missed opportunities. ... I have recently, in the past couple of years, transitioned into palliative care, a choice I never dreamed of ever making. ... I am a survivor — I am more than my diagnosis. I am not Michelle, the cancer patient; I am Michelle who has cancer. ...

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Good grief: Personal stories show hope still exists after loss

05/21/25 at 03:00 AM

Good grief: Personal stories show hope still exists after loss ABC KTRK-13; by Brittaney Willmore; 5/19/25 Stories are at the heart of the memorial garden at Bo's Place. The building, with its red brick entryway, tall trees, basketball court, and patio, was intentionally designed on the outside to look almost like two arms, reaching out and welcoming in those who find themselves there as guests, but leave feeling like it's home. Carmichael Khan is familiar with the garden, which isn't made up of plants in this particular case, but of rocks that serve a very distinct purpose. Resting in the palm of his hand is his daughter's rock, which says, "Just bee." "That's why you see bees there. You just want to become. You also want to sit with your grief and just be," Khan explains. Rocks represent, but don't replace late loved ones, and painting them with personality just one of the many ways meant to help grieving children, adults, and families at Bo's Place cope with one of the most difficult parts of life -- death. 

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‘Don’t be sad. I’ve had a great life’: John Shakespeare on the art of living

05/20/25 at 03:00 AM

‘Don’t be sad. I’ve had a great life’: John Shakespeare on the art of livingOur Community Now; by Peter FitzSimons; 5/18/25 JS [John Shakespeare]: I’m a realist at heart, Pete, and once I know that something is irreversible I have no choice but to accept it. There is a certain sense of peace that comes from acceptance. It eliminates the need to ask “why me?” and “if only”. Fitz: I have been told, wonderfully, that since that outpouring of love for you last Friday, there has been a small uptick in your prognosis?JS: Haha, I think I just had a big adrenaline rush from that one! Hard not to feel better with 209 people you love, in turn, lining up to hug you! ... [ More dialogue]Fitz: What you are going through will soon enough confront all of us, as we come face to face with our mortality. What advice do you have for us? JS: My motto is “accept, adjust, adapt”. The key is to be able to accept something that can’t be changed. Only then will you find some peace. Otherwise, it will be a battle with the unmovable. Sort out your financials so that your family will be as secure as possible, and that will give yourself a sense of relief to carry into your final days. Have as much fun as your energy levels allow!

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'I kept going': After blindness and cancer, UT student fulfills PhD dream

05/19/25 at 03:00 AM

'I kept going': After blindness and cancer, UT student fulfills PhD dream Ausint American-Statemen, Austin, TX; by Lily Kepner and Nicole Villalpando; 5/18/2025 Qusay Hussein has dedicated his life to advocating for refugees, marginalized people and those with disabilities. For almost a decade, he chose to drive that change at the University of Texas. Hussein is an education advocate and a doctoral student at the [University of Texas] Steve Hicks School of Social Work. He received the highest degree in the field this month, having overcome seemingly impossible barriers: a suicide bombing in Mosul, Iraq, in 2006 that left him blind and his face severely damaged; 70 reconstruction surgeries; and immigrating to the U.S. He recently finished his first book about his early years and the bombing: "Can You Open My Eyes?" He's currently writing a second book, "Between Two Worlds: From Refugee to Ph.D." ... After battling terminal kidney cancer the last two years, his dream - he told his doctors - was to walk across the graduation stage May 10, honoring the promise he made to his father that he would come to the U.S. and get an education.

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Finding her strength in silence: CSU Pueblo student graduates twice, carrying her mother’s dream

05/16/25 at 03:00 AM

Finding her strength in silence: CSU Pueblo student graduates twice, carring her mother's dream Colorado State University Pueblo, Pueblo, CO; by Soni Brinsko; 5/14/25 The porch was still new when the professors arrived that late November evening. Hand-laid tiles, each one carefully placed by a father during what should have been vacation time. He’d built it for his wife so she could sit outside, feel the Colorado breeze one more time. That night, the porch became something else entirely. It became a stage for a graduation ceremony that wasn’t supposed to happen until May. Alondra Solis Ayala is about to walk across the commencement stage at Colorado State University Pueblo this week. It will be her second graduation. The first one happened in her family’s living room, with her dying mother watching from a chair, too weak to stand but strong enough to declare “esa es mi hija”—that’s my daughter—as faculty members in full regalia handed over a diploma cover and stole in what became an impromptu, deeply personal ceremony.

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How grief transformed a psychiatrist’s approach to patient care

05/15/25 at 03:00 AM

How grief transformed a psychiatrist’s approach to patient care MedPageToday's KevinMD.com [reposted in AAHPM's newsletter]; by Devina Maya Wadhawa, MD; 5/12/25It is a routine Saturday morning—I am sitting in my office, looking at the snowflakes dropping outside my window. As I sip on my cup of Earl Grey tea preparing my psyche for a busy day of managing an on-call shift on an acute care psychiatry floor, I am suddenly washed over by grief. A very similar Saturday a year ago, I was saying goodbye to my father as he was being taken off life support in the intensive care unit after suffering a massive posterior myocardial infarction and ending up with a cardiac arrest at the very young age of 62. The year has been nothing short of trying, a year of firsts. ...

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Team work makes the dream work for hospice veteran

05/14/25 at 03:00 AM

Team work makes the dream work for hospice veteran Veterans Administration, VA.gov; by Douglas A. Etter; 5/12/25 When Marine Corps Veteran Ivson Shelley came to the Lebanon VA Medical Center for a follow-up visit with his oncologist, Suhail Ali, MD, the staff was concerned about how much the former New York resident had declined since his last appointment. They didn’t think he could be cared for at home any longer, so a decision was made with the family to admit him to the medical center’s hospice unit Thursday afternoon. Once there, the Marine shared a heartfelt wish with the staff – he wanted to marry his lifelong love, Wanda Rivera. The couple had dated more than 50 years ago and rekindled their relationship 10 years ago. Upon hearing the Vietnam Veteran’s wish, the VA team, lead by Hospice Nurse Manager Jessica Himes, RN and Hospice Social Worker, Erin Miller, MSW, LCSW quickly came together to make it happen. Palliative care nurse Melissa Buchinski, RN began to research what the requirements were to secure a marriage license for the couple. ... [Continue reading this inspirational story.]

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I held my wife's hand as she died. It was the most painful moment in my life, but also the greatest gift.

05/14/25 at 02:00 AM

I held my wife's hand as she died. It was the most painful moment in my life, but also the greatest gift.Yahoo!Life; by Juan Cruz, Jr.; 4/13/25

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[United Kingdom] Wife to walk across island for late husband

05/13/25 at 03:30 AM

[United Kingdom] Wife to walk across island for late husband BBC News; 5/11/25 The wife of a gardener who died of cancer is preparing to walk across the Isle of Wight in his memory. Debs Goodenough will be taking part in the Walk the Wight challenge in aid of the Mountbatten Hospice. She said it was an opportunity to honour her husband Simon, while also supporting the hospice which cared for her and her family. ... Mr. Goodenough was a gardener known for his work on Ventnor Botanical Gardens, but he also created a garden for the hospice. ... Mrs. Goodenough will be walking 26.5miles (42.6km) across the island with her sons Rory and Jake. ... The annual Walk the Wight challenge has been running for 35 years and supports the hospice by raising money for patients and the families it cares for. More than 6,500 people are expected to take part, and Mrs. Goodenough has spent the past three months training for the event. ... "The day Simon died, we had a little walk and it was two miles, and I promised Simon I would support the hospice, and my sons said 'If you want to Walk the Wight we'll do it with you'."

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Celebrating National Nurses Month with 62 years of nursing excellence: Meet Alma Flowers, hospice nurse

05/13/25 at 03:00 AM

Celebrating National Nurses Month with 62 years of nursing excellence: Meet Alma Flowers, hospice nurse Jacksonville News - JAXChamber, Jacksonville, FL; 4/30/25 This month, we are proud to spotlight Ms. Alma Flowers, a dedicated Registered Nurse at Community Hospice & Palliative Care, whose remarkable career spans an impressive 62 years. Alma's journey began at the Brewster Duval School of Nursing in Jacksonville in 1959, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to compassionate care and professional excellence. Alma's career has been a testament to the evolution of nursing, encompassing diverse roles from acute psychiatric units to the compassionate realm of hospice care. Throughout her journey, Alma has adapted to and contributed to advancements in healthcare practices and policies. ... As we celebrate National Nurses Month, we are reminded of nurses' profound impact on patient care, healthcare innovation, and community well-being. Alma Flowers' journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of nursing excellence at Community Hospice & Palliative Care.Editor's note: What a beautiful tribute to Alma, especially when describing her journey as a "testament to the evolution of nursing." Imagine changes ahead for today's student nurses: 62 years from now will be the year 2087. While we struggle to keep up with the current barrage of nursing workforce challenges, we can draw inspiration from Alma's life-long commitments, flexibility, and immeasurable contributions.

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[New Zealand] Nelson Airport Trees of Remembrance returns with new sponsorship tiers to support Nelson Tasman Hospice

05/12/25 at 03:00 AM

[New Zealand] Nelson Airport Trees of Remembrance returns with new sponsorship tiers to support Nelson Tasman Hospice Nelson Tasman Hospice, Nelson, New Zealand; Press Release; 5/9/25 The much-loved Nelson Airport Trees of Remembrance activation is returning this holiday season, offering businesses a unique opportunity to give back to the community while boosting their brand visibility during the busiest travel period of the year. This year’s campaign introduces an exciting new structure with three sponsorship tiers—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—allowing even more businesses to take part in this heartwarming tradition that supports Nelson Tasman Hospice. The Trees of Remembrance campaign has been a cherished part of the Nelson Tasman community for over 30 years, offering individuals and businesses a meaningful way to honour loved ones while contributing to free hospice services. Sponsored Christmas trees will once again illuminate Nelson Airport from December 2025 through January 2026, spreading festive cheer to the thousands of locals and travellers passing through during the holiday season.Editor's note: Fall/Winter fund raising plans are surely underway for nonprofit hospices and foundations. What ideas does this article generate? What might you adapt for your community? 

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It's time to talk about LGBTQ+ elder care

05/12/25 at 02:15 AM

It's time to talk about LGBTQ+ elder care Psychology Today - Caregiving; by Stephanie Sarazin, M.P.P.; 5/6/25 A once-hidden story is helping us think about queer kinship and caregiving. Key points:

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Dying ‘Beautifully’ in the Rio Grande Valley: Rivera-Burciaga embeds end-of-life nursing into UTRGV curriculum: National Nurses Week is May 6-12

05/12/25 at 02:00 AM

Dying ‘Beautifully’ in the Rio Grande Valley: Rivera-Burciaga embeds end-of-life nursing into UTRGV curriculum: National Nurses Week is May 6-12 UTRGV, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - The Newsroom, Rio Grande Valley, TX; by Karen Villarreal; 5/9/25 Death, for the most part, makes people uncomfortable. But not UTRGV’s Dr. Andrya Rivera-Burciaga.  After a personal loss early in her nursing career drove her to seek advanced certification in hospice and palliative care, she has made it her life’s work to normalize conversations about death and dying.   ... While Rivera-Burciaga’s efforts successfully have woven palliative care into the UTRGV nursing curriculum, her Ph.D. research on the unique cultural perspective of death and dying among Mexican Americans aims to further tailor the care that nurses provide to end-of-life patients in South Texas.  ... Through clinical interviews, Rivera-Burciaga found that many individuals of the Mexican American culture are afraid to die – despite engaging in Día de los Muertos, a celebration of death every November. “We've built a compassionate community for the dying, yet we don't say it by name. Many Mexican Americans in the United States believe that to talk about death invites it. Or, that we don't have time to be depressed, or that even in mourning men don't cry,” she said.

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'The Grief Lady:' NC woman uses mother's funeral flowers to create art, help others heal

05/09/25 at 03:00 AM

'The Grief Lady:' NC woman uses mother's funeral flowers to create art, help others heal WRAL TV News, Raleigh, NC; by Heather Leah; 4/18/24, posted in our newsletter 4/29/24  Grief is a journey--and you never know for sure where it'll take you. When Janet Willis' mom passed away from small cell lung cancer in her 70s, Willis said she felt like she lost more than a mother; she lost a piece of herself. The loss launched her on a 100 day journey, creating art with the dried flower petals saved from her mother's funeral and sharing her grief experience with her followers. Each day she created a new piece of art – and each day it's as much a surprise for her as it is for her viewers. [See photos.]

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