Literature Review

A natural segue: Retired hospice physician Ralph Caldroney ’72 turns a planned gift into immediate impact with new lecture sponsorship W&L - The Columns, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA; by Barbara Elliott; 9/15/25 [Dr. Ralph Caldrony, retired medical director for Hospice of Rockbridge County,] attended several Mudd Center lectures during this past year’s series: “How We Live and Die: Stories, Values and Communities.” ... Impressed by the range and quality of the Mudd Center presentations [at Washington & Lee University], Caldroney previously committed a $250,000 planned gift to the center for his 50th reunion gift in 2022. However, after such a positive experience attending this year’s lecture series, he decided to fast-track his support. For each of the next five years, his $5,000 per-year gift will sponsor an annual lecture. “It was a natural segue,” Caldroney says. “This way, I can enjoy some of the fruits of my labor while I am still alive.”

[United Kingdom] Skydiving 95-year-old among local heroes honoured BBC News; 9/14/25 A skydiving 95-year-old, a cycling fundraiser and even a rescue dog were among the winners at an award ceremony celebrating people who had made life better for others in their communities.

New van opens doors for Hospice of West Alabama clients Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa, AL; by Gary Cosby, Jr.; 9/8/25 A new Hospice of West Alabama transport van is rolling through the streets, courtesy of the generosity of community donors. Hospice Executive Director Latrelle Hallum said the new vehicle will greatly expand the services they can offer to their clients. Before purchasing the new Toyota Sienna minivan, the organization did not have the ability to take clients places they needed to get to. "It's going to allow us to do a lot of extras. We will do Christmas lights tour for our patients and families in December, take them to graduations, or to see a newborn baby, or a Thanksgiving gathering, or to doctor's appointments. The only requirement is that it is not an ambulance. We can only transport people who are in a wheelchair," Hallum said.

Agnesian HealthCare Foundation 2025 Charity Open has successful year Envision, Fond du Lac, WI: Press Release; 9/8/25 The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation recently hosted its 37th annual Charity Open, ... raising  more than $525,000 – making this one of the most successful years. Proceeds from this year’s event are supporting SSM Health at Home Hospice and SSM Health Cancer Care services within the greater Fond du Lac area – helping ensure that all patients have access to these vital services regardless of their ability to pay.

SECU Foundation awards $170,000 grant to Carolinas Foundation for Hospice and Home Care SECU Foundation, Raliegh, NC; Press Release; 9/4/25 SECU Foundation recently awarded a $170,000 grant to Carolinas Foundation for Hospice and Home Care (CFHHC) to assist with the development and implementation of a standardized training curriculum and onboarding model for personal care aides. The project will help address the critical need for qualified care aides and improve the retention of employees in the field. CFHHC was established in 1998 by the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC) to support innovation that improves access to quality hospice and home care services in the state. 

Food drive will aid hospice patients The County, Presque Isle, ME; by Contributed; 9/3/25 Northern Light Home Care and Hospice is holding a patient food drive now through Sept. 22 to support patients experiencing food insecurity. Home Care and Hospice clinicians and home health aides make more than 169,500 in-home visits each year caring for patients across the state. They see first-hand the food insecurity patients are experiencing. “We know that nutrition helps patients have better healing outcomes from a recent surgery or a chronic condition. Worrying about where their next meal is coming from should not be one of their concerns,” said LeighAnn Howard, vice president of clinical operations at Northern Light Home Care and Hospice. Editor's Note: The autumn season is an excellent time to hold your own patient food drive to "support patients experiencing food insecurity." Read this learn from Northern Light Home Care and Hospice innovative outreach and support.

[United Kingdom] Hikers take on volcanic trek to support hospice BBC News, Somerset, UK; by Clara Bullock and Charlie Taylor; 8/30/25 A group of hikers is taking on the dramatic landscapes of Iceland to raise money for a hospice. The nine walkers will trek 36 miles (58km) across the volcanic highland region of Landmannalaugar – over lava fields, past hot springs and waterfalls – to fundraise for St. Margaret's Hospice in Somerset [United Kingdom]. Louise Wonham is taking part with her two sons. She said she wanted to give back to the charity after it supported her husband Mike, who had cancer. ...

Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta raises more than $500,000 to support hospice homes Coronado Times, San Diego, CA; Coronado Times Staff; 9/2/25 More than 1,200 guests gathered on San Diego Bay for the 22nd Annual Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta, raising over $500,000 in support of Sharp HospiceCare’s Homes for Hospice program. ... Funds raised will directly support Sharp HospiceCare’s mission of providing compassionate, holistic care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones. This includes the ongoing expansion of hospice services and the operation of Sharp’s four hospice facilities — BonitaView, LakeView, ParkView, and the newly completed Moore MountainView Hospice Home in Poway.

New hospice house playground dedicated to A.B.A.T.E 18 motorcycle group The Hawk Eye - Iowa's Oldest Newspaper; by Tracey Lamm; 8/26/25 ABATE District 18 Motorcycle Club presented checks Friday to the Lee County and Home and Health Hospice House programs. An ongoing relationship between the motorcycle group and the hospice programs has resulted in an honor that will be a permanent part of the Home and Health Hospice House in West Burlington. ... [A] planned playground at the Hospice House will be dedicated to ABATE District 18 motorcycle organization. Jordan Price, Fort Madison, handles public relations for ABATE 18 and he said the motorcycle group has worked with the hospice programs for many years. ... "The proceeds are raised through motorcycle poker runs, donations, and lunches at Heartland Harley Davidson." The two hospice programs each received a check Friday night of $29,250, half for each of the total $58,500 that was raised during the annual Hospice Ride on July 20. Price said the amount far exceeded a goal to raise $40,000.

By the Bay Health launches new scholarship in memoriam of Marin County healthcare visionary Pat KendallBy the Bay Health press release; by Caroline Kawashima; 8/21/25By the Bay Health, the largest independent nonprofit hospice, palliative care, and home health provider in Northern California, today announced a new scholarship in memoriam of Marin County healthcare advocate and visionary Pat Kendall. The By the Bay Health Pat Kendall Memorial Nursing Scholarship provides financial assistance to Bachelor of Science Nursing students who demonstrate financial need and have an interest in pursuing a career in home-based care in the Bay Area... Through the generosity of By the Bay Health donors, a $50,000 scholarship will be awarded this year to two Dominican University of California students in the B.S. Nursing program enrolled in the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. Each scholarship awardee will receive $12,500 per year for the 3rd and 4th years of the B.S. in Nursing program and an exclusive recruitment opportunity with By the Bay Health in the Spring semester of their fourth year. [Press release here.]

Unity Hospice receives $20,000 from the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer The Chamber - Manitowoc County, De Pere, WI; Press Release; 8/18/25 For the tenth consecutive year, Unity Hospice has been chosen as a recipient of funds from the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer. These contributions help Unity provide compassionate hospice care, palliative care, and grief support to individuals and families across Northeast Wisconsin. The Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer, a motorcycle ride to benefit cancer patients and families throughout Northeastern Wisconsin, presented checks totaling $185,000 to eleven local cancer support organizations at Vandervest Harley-Davidson.

Unity receives $25,000 grant from K.C. Stock Foundation to expand home-based palliative care service The Chamber - Manitowoc County, WI; 8/14/25 Unity is honored to announce the award of a $25,000 grant from the K.C. Stock Foundation to support its Supportive Care Management (SCM) program, which provides compassionate, home-based palliative care to individuals in Northeast Wisconsin facing serious illness. “We are deeply grateful to the K.C. Stock Foundation for recognizing the growing need for accessible palliative care,” says Unity Executive Director Alisa Gerke. ... Unity’s Supportive Care Management program provides an extra layer of support and education for individuals and their family when living with a serious illness, delivering expert care wherever a patient calls home. 

Late attorney leaves lasting legacy to St. Luke’s hospice Times News - tnonline.com; Press Release; 8/9/25 A recent gift to support hospice programs at St. Luke's deepens the impact of Justin K. McCarthy, Esq. ... Among his greatest accomplishmnets is his support of programs offered through St. Luke's University Health Network [in Pennsylvania and New Jersey]. ... For many years, McCarthy, who died in August 2023 at the age of 95, served on the board of trustees for the Network's Visiting Nurses Association and was an early supporter of the hospice program that evolved into an integral component of VNA services. In addition to sharing his time, talent and energy, he was also an extremely generous donor who contributed more than $2 million in support of St. Luke's.