Literature Review

Each May, Kennedy students raise money against cancer KELO Pierre, SD; by Bob Mercer; 5/18/26 Students at Kennedy Elementary School in Pierre are learning a valuable lesson. Giving can be the greatest gift of all. There was a friendly competition again during the first two weeks of May between the school’s 19 classrooms to see which one could raise the most money for a life-saving cause. It’s called Kennedy versus Cancer. Their goal was to raise $7,500 — and they’ve reached it once again. ... The money goes to Countryside Hospice. ... Kennedy Elementary students have been raising money to help the fight against cancer since their school opened in 2015. ... So far, more than $60,000 has been brought in.

The woman painting lost loved ones for free BBC News; by Tom Atkinson and Elliot Ball; 5/18/26 A Herefordshire artist has pledged to paint people's loved ones who have passed away for free, following the death of her own granddaughter.Judy Young, from Bromyard, has been creating posthumous portraits since 2017, and only requests a donation to St Michael's Hospice in return. ... Discussing her artwork, Young said: "It's very moving, it's always moving painting a portrait, and I have painted still born babies right up to people in their 80s and 90s." She continued: "What's so moving to me is because I want to hear about the person and learn about them, I don't just have a photo, I have an idea of their character and their essence."

10 of the biggest regrets nurses hear from dying patients SavingAdvice.com; by Amanda Blankenship; 5/15/26 ... Hospice nurse Bronnie Ware famously documented several of the most common regrets she heard from patients nearing death, including working too much and failing to stay close to loved ones. These end-of-life regrets offer important lessons for anyone hoping to live with fewer disappointments and more peace.

Thank a nurse 2026: reader submitted letters Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME; by various readers of the Portland Press Herald; 5/8/26

A daughter honors her father in career choice while following her mother’s lead: Sara and Alicia Offenbacker on the day Alicia graduated with her nursing degree from Rutgers Camden SNJ Today; by Margie Barham; 5/10/26 For Sara and Alicia Offenbacker, hospice care is more than a profession; it’s a shared calling rooted in love, loss, and the powerful bond between a mother and daughter. Sara Offenbacker has spent the past four years as program manager at NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care. ... Working alongside her is her daughter, Alicia, an RN case manager who plays a central role in patient care ... Working together is meaningful, but Alicia’s decision to become a nurse and to choose hospice runs much deeper.

Where do unhoused people go to die? The Denver Clarion, Denver, CO; by Hawke Baldwin; 5/4/26 ... On April 29th 9News presented its documentary “Refuge” in DU’s Anderson Academic Commons, giving viewers a glimpse into the reality of death. “Refuge” is a sad yet inspiring story that delves into end-of-life care for those both terminally ill and unhoused in Denver. ... A person featured in the film is James Patrick Hall, a Gregorian Frier and former engineer who founded Rocky Mountain Refuge, a haven for those in need of end-of-life care. The refuge is a hospice center providing home-style care for free. ... The documentary follows four unhoused and terminally ill individuals: Jennifer, Renne, James and Jose. All of whom were unable to find appropriate care anywhere else, so they turned to Rocky Mountain Refuge.

Hospice workers stop by to thank Lila Kozel, founder of hospice care in Bismarck KXNET News CBS, Bismarck, ND; by Joel Porter; 5/1/26 Health care workers in North Dakota made a house call on Friday to a special woman’s house. Workers from CHI Health at Home stopped by Lila Kozel’s home to greet her and thank her. Kozel is credited with starting hospice services in Bismarck in the 1980s. Health workers say Kozel started the program after losing a son, which made her want to give comfort to others as her family handled their grief. Now, Lila is living on hospice care, and the workers say if not for Lila, they’re not sure the program would be what it is.

98-year-old Korean War veteran honored in Redding through hospice recognition program KRCR-7 ABC News, Redding, CA; by Mike Mangas and Maxwell Valva; 5/5/26 Staff with Bristol Hospice, a provider of end-of-life care services, honored a Korean War veteran, 98, Tuesday, May 5 in Redding as part of a nationwide recognition program. The ceremony took place at Sundial Assisted Living, where John Schaefer was recognized for his military service. Schaefer served in the U.S. Army and was wounded during the war, earning a Purple Heart.

[UK] Dorset hospice and community choir charities announce merger CivilSociety; by Alex Turner; 4/30/26 Two Dorset-based charities, one providing hospice care and the other a community choir supporting people living with cancer, have announced a merger. Lewis-Manning Hospice Care said this week that the “exciting new step” will “bring together clinical excellence in palliative care with the powerful therapeutic and community benefits of music and singing.” Rising Voices Wessex, based in Poole, added that the partnership will expand access to the choir for people living with life-limiting illness and their families across east Dorset and Purbeck. The charities highlighted the benefits that group singing can bring, including around lowered stress, improved respiratory function, new social connections and overall mental wellbeing. 

Have guitar, will travel: music therapist brings comfort Lovin' Life; by Karen Schaffner; 5/3/26 Michael Hieber has a warehouse of music in his brain, everything from the Great American Songbook to Rob Zombie and beyond. He knows the value of music and how personal it is. As a board-certified music therapist, Hieber’s job is no different from other types of therapy. “The way to think of music therapy just in general is, imagine any kind of therapy there is: cognitive behavioral, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, et cetera,” Hieber said. “Music therapists can work in all those areas but you use music to achieve your therapeutic goals.” Hieber is a music therapist at Casa de la Luz Hospice, has a Yamaha guitar and will travel to patients.

Wish granted: Man in hospice attends his 80th Kentucky Derby in a rowWLKY-32 CBS News, Louisville, KY; by Addie Meiners; 5/4/26 An 89-year-old Louisville native living in hospice care was able to fulfill one final wish this weekend—attending his 80th Kentucky Derby in a row. Bob Weihe marked the milestone Saturday at the 152nd Run for the Roses. Despite being in hospice, his lifelong tradition was made possible for another year after a story about his situation gained attention. ... Editor's Note: Even though weather was cold and the sun did not "shine bright" for the Derby this story warms the heart. 

Hand-stitched memory bears help grieving maker and recipients ArcaMax, Pittsburgh, PA; by Gretchen McKay; 5/1/26 Shirley Whitlinger knows all too well the profound, existential loneliness that follows a spouse’s death. When David, her husband of 50 years, died from prostate cancer in 2021, after two years of chemotherapy and trials at Hillman Cancer Center, it was almost impossible not to lose herself in grief. Whitlinger finally learned to move forward last year, she says, with the help of a support group and, more recently, a beloved hobby that started in childhood: sewing. Three months ago, she started making keepsake “memory” bears from a piece of clothing in honor of a lost loved one.

Man in hospice had final wish of attending his 80th Kentucky Derby, and it's coming true WLKY-32, Louisville, KY; by Addie Meiners; 4/30/26 An 89-year-old Louisville native in hospice care wants to get in one final Kentucky Derby before he dies. Bob Weihe has been to 79 Derbies in a row. But in a wheelchair, unable to walk and unable to afford it, he feared his dying wish would not come true. But after a public appeal, it looks like he'll get that wish. Journalist David Begnaud shared a video online asking for help to grant it. Weihe’s passion for the Derby began in 1946 when he attended his first race at the age of 8 with his mother. ... Weihe’s wife, Barbara, has been his date to 62 Derbies, starting in 1957. ... Churchill Downs responded to Begnaud’s video, providing tickets to make Weihe’s wish come true.