Literature Review

Dwayne Johnson sings Moana song for a 4-year-old girl in home hospice care: 'It's my honor' People; by Tommy McArdle; 4/2/24 Dwayne Johnson said the Make-a-Wish Foundation connected him with the family of a young girl who "watches 'Moana' every day, all day." Dwayne made a special video for a major Moana fan.  On July 1, the actor, 52, shared a video on Instagram in which he said the Make-a-Wish Foundation had reached out to him with an urgent request to send a message to a 4-year-old girl named Lily Guerrero, who Johnson said is currently on home hospice care. "A 'rush' wish means what the implication sounds like, which is time is just not on our side when it comes to this particular wish," Johnson said in the video. "This rush wish is that Lily is on home hospice now and she watches Moana every day, all day, her dad said. Her wish is to have Dwayne Johnson sing 'You're Welcome' to her and have it recorded so she can listen to it over and over and over and over." [Click on the title's link to view the article and its video of Dwayne Johnson telling the public about Lily and singing to her.]

Royal Marines musicians play for dying bandmate Verified News Explorer Network, from the United Kingdom; 6/25/24 Musicians from the Royal Marines laid on a poignant performance at a hospice for their dying bandmate. Newlywed Sophie Ward, 27, was joined by her husband Richard, patients, staff and volunteers for the emotional final performance. Sophie was moved in her bed on to the patio adjoining her room to listen and watch her beloved band for one last time, accompanied by her husband - a fellow Royal Marines musician. Sophie, who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease, has been an inpatient at the hospice in Winsley near Bradford-upon-Avon, Wiltshire, since mid-June. Sophie was moved in her bed on to the patio adjoining her room to listen to her beloved band. ... Her colleagues, dressed in the uniform, marched and performed songs chosen by Sophie. 

It’s your funeral! How to plan ahead for the best party you’ll never attend The Guardian; by Doosie Morris; 6/14/24 Years before the indomitable Joan Rivers died in 2014 she immortalised hopes for her own farewell in her memoir. ... The rise in so-called “death positivity”, along with the mortal reality check wreaked on us by the pandemic, has helped to reframe death as a part of life for many of us. Taboos around discussing death are breaking down and planning your own funeral is increasingly considered as responsible as writing a will. ... While the latest Australian Funeral Industry report found less than one in five Australians have actually planned their own funeral, a definite vibe shift is occurring and 90% of people say they want to. ... “When people say ‘I don’t want a funeral’ I remind them it’s not actually for them,” Griffith says. “You might think you’re doing your loved ones a favour, but you are actually denying everyone who needs somewhere to put their grief.” ...

A dream comes true: Hospice patient rides in hot air balloonSedalia Democrat; by Faith Bemiss-McKinney; 6/10/24A long-time dream came true for an area woman with a long-term illness on Friday, June 7, with a tethered hot air balloon ride [courtesy of Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care].Publisher's Note: Subscription may be required to read full article.

Paramedics helping hospice patients make final memories with family CKXS 99.1 News, St. Wallaceburg, Ontario; 6/7/24A new hospice program in Chatham-Kent is giving patients a chance to take one last end-of-life journey with their loved ones. Chatham-Kent EMS and the Chatham-Kent Hospice have partnered to create the Lasting Memories Program, which allows palliative patients to take a day trip to a location of their choosing. The program helps families create lasting memories of their loved ones in the final days through a trip to the farm, a ride to the lake, or enjoying a sporting event. Local paramedic Jon Benoit was credited for helping to get the program off the ground by coordinating services between the hospice and Medavie Health Services. “Medavie is really good about letting us use their ambulances and helping get this program running and supporting us through it… but the medics doing the actual program, it’s all volunteer time,” he said. Staff at the hospice work with families on coordinating the outing with volunteer paramedics, who escort them throughout the excursion, alleviating any health or medical concerns.

EPCSO, Hospice of El Paso make dream come true for teen facing terminal illnessABC KVIA; by Tyaun Marshburn; 5/29/24Evan Molina was sworn in Wednesday by El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles to be honorary Sheriff of El Paso for the day. Molina is a pediatric patient at Hospice of El Paso. He said he has always wanted to be a sheriff, and today the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and Hospice of El Paso made that wish come true.

Paris in spring, Bali in winter. How ‘bucket lists’ help cancer patients handle life and death The Conversation; by Vivan Lam; 5/8/24 In the 2007 film The Bucket List Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play two main characters who respond to their terminal cancer diagnoses by rejecting experimental treatment. Instead, they go on a range of energetic, overseas escapades. Since then, the term “bucket list” – a list of experiences or achievements to complete before you “kick the bucket” or die – has become common. ... But there is a more serious side to the idea behind bucket lists. One of the key forms of suffering at the end of life is regret for things left unsaid or undone. So bucket lists can serve as a form of insurance against this potential regret. The bucket-list search for adventure, memories and meaning takes on a life of its own with a diagnosis of life-limiting illness. Editor's Note: Health acuity (especially for hospice patients), finances, and other practical factors can prevent acutalization of the person's bucket list wishes. Yes, fulfilling items can happen! And when not possible (perhaps the most common response), the clinician's sensitive presence, validation of the person's hope, and gentle exploration of why it matters can bring relevant, meaningful support. Involving family members (with the patient's permission) can inspire other generations to fulfill the person's wish, bringing new purpose to mourning and grief-restoration processes ahead.

Lindon woman’s dream of having her music on the radio comes true KSLTV 5, Salt Lake City, Utah; by Alex Cabrero; 4/26/24 With weeks left to live, a Lindon woman’s dream of her music airing on the radio is becoming a reality. “They are experiences I have had, but there are no words ever that will describe my journey,” Gracelyn Wilkinson said. Gracelyn Wilkinson’s music, specifically the words to her songs, is about as remarkable as it gets. While she is only 19 years old, she has had the kind of life experiences many people will fortunately never have. ... Gracelyn Wilkinson is now home in Lindon on hospice, where precious time is now measured in days.

Hospice nurse reveals the most common deathbed regretsUnilad; by Niamh Shackleton; 4/24/24Bronnie Ware, a nurse who has spent a large majority of her career working in palliative care, found that there were five common things that people regretted about their lives upon reflection as they approached death.

6-year-old boy battling serious illness sworn in as Lynwood police officer NBC TV 5 Chicago, by Evrod Cassimy; 4/9/24 Child battling serious illness gets wish granted by village. With his hand raised in the air and a round of applause from those in attendance, the Village of Lynwood’s newest cop was sworn in at just 6 years old. Keyjuan Andrewin has dreams of helping people as a police officer and has battled serious health issues for most of his young life. 

Young KC hospice patient feels love from Eric Stonestreet, Royals -- and a sweet pig The Kansas City Star, by Lisa Gutierrez; 4/9/24 For more than three hours Sunday, a big ol’, droopy-eared Chester White pig from Kansas with the longest of eyelashes and the pinkest of snouts cuddled with Isabelle Sears. She brushed him over and over and over. The pig’s owner was awed by its gentle manners. So was Eric Stonestreet, the man who fulfilled Isabelle’s request for the visit. You see, 22-year-old Isabelle wanted to be a veterinarian. Then brain cancer found her, again. She is a patient of Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, at home in the Kansas City area surrounded by family and her pets.

American Airlines : Make-A-Wish® and Disney host Wish Flight in support of 28 children battling critical illnesses MarketScreener; 4/3/24American Airlines, Make-A-Wish and Disney will grant the wishes of children battling critical illnesses in celebration of World Wish Month. On April 17, 28 wish families will board the Wish Flight and fly on a one-of-a-kind, chartered plane from Dallas-Fort Worth to Orlando, Florida, to fulfill their wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort®.

North Carolina restaurant fulfills woman’s dying wishABC News WGNO, by Raven Payne; 4/1/24It’s an act of kindness that cleared away a cloud of grief, crossing state lines. A North Carolina restaurant owner drove six hours to deliver what ended up being the last meal for a woman on her death bed. ... On her deathbed, Bowers had one last wish, a pork plate from Outer Banks restaurant Mama Kwans. But Simmons wondered how they could make it happen. After all, they lived six hours away in West Virginia.