Lakeview Medical Center (LMC) in Rice Lake celebrated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Oct. 12 by participating in the biennial Voices for Hospices event.
About 300 people attended, raising $31,000 of support through sponsorships, raffles and a silent auction.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care. More than 1,000 events in 70 countries were scheduled to celebrate the day. LMC was the only facility in Wisconsin, and one of only four in the nation, to participate.
All money raised by the Lakeview Medical Center Hospice program remains in the program to benefit local patients and family members. Lakeview's Hospice Care provides a special level of care for people with terminal illnesses and their loved ones. The program has provided service to more than 1,200 patients and families in Barron, Rusk, Washburn, Sawyer, Dunn, Burnett, and Polk counties since it began in 1996.
"The end of life should be met with care and dignity with each person's wishes and needs guiding the care they receive," said Kris Fetkenheuer, Hospice volunteer coordinator. "Hospice care is committed to helping make the final days as comfortable and satisfying as possible, for patients and their families. "
Raffled items at the event included a seven-day trip to Italy, including a $1,000 travel voucher; a one-week stay at a four-bedroom cabin in Custer, S.D; Badgers and Green Bay Packers tickets and dozens of other prizes.
"This event wouldn't happen without the support of our Hospice volunteers," said Tammy Koger, volunteer services manager at LMC. "They did the leg work, contacting businesses, obtaining donations, and staffing the event that night. We thank them all."
