Loss inspires couple to give back

Cristina Bles has been a volunteer with Southeast Hospice since 2005. After dealing with her younger brother's illness and death while in hospice, Tina decided to give back. Tina's excitement in volunteering for hospice shows through in all she does. She provides companionship for patients in their home or nursing home and respite for caregivers to take some well deserved time off. Bles has also made herself available for funeral visitations, hospice awareness events, office and patient projects, and has taken on extra training to assist in COOL Camp, a bereavement program for children. Tina also knows that the support of family is essential in keeping up with the pace of life and volunteering. Her husband Dennis helps with in many of the hospice awareness and fundraising events such as calling bingo at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center every fourth Friday of the month. If a hospice staff member is not able to attend, Dennis gladly jumps in and starts calling numbers.