“It was very comforting to know people who gave pragmatic and caring information about what to expect,” said Blanche Cathcart of Aitkin about her family’s experience with Hospice’s end-of-life services.
Cathcart’s family utilized Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s Hospice after her 100-year-old father experienced a major stroke from which he succumbed in December 2017. They also experienced Hospice when her mother fell ill and subsequently passed away at age 85 in 2012.
“Having a knowledgeable source explain what was happening and to determine whether our parents were progressing as expected or if emergency services should be notified was very helpful,” Cathcart explained. “We have a large family and a lot of people were involved; it was beneficial to review Hospice’s materials and very important to me.”
CRMC’s Home Health & Hospice department relies upon its annual Tree of Love fund-raiser to provide services to those who may not be able to afford them. Memorial and honor gifts for the 34th annual event are now being accepted. The official tree lighting and dedication of the Hospice tree is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, at Heartwood in Crosby.
There will be a brief ceremony in Heartwood’s Conference Room to honor the names of all those for whom lights have been given. Following the program, an evergreen in front of CRMC’s entrance will be lit for those whom lights have been given to honor or memorialize. Music, refreshments and reflection will begin at 4:15 p.m.
All donations to the Tree of Love benefit CRMC’s Home Health & Hospice department which offers compassionate care for people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness regardless of their financial resources. Hospice involves a team approach to expert medical care, pain management, emotional and spiritual support. A vital part of hospice care is providing support to the family and loved ones of patients.
Home Health & Hospice accepts donations all year and the Tree of Love accepts donations through the end of December. To make sure the names of loved ones are received in time for the tree lighting ceremony, please send contributions before Wednesday, Nov. 21. Send a check payable to CRMC in the amount of $10 for each person to be honored or remembered to: CRMC Tree of Love, 320 E. Main St., Crosby, MN 56441. Provide the name of the person the gift is in memory or in honor of, and to whom a card of notification should be sent.
For more information, visit www.cuyunamed.org or call 218-546-2311.