TREE OF LIFE CAMPAIGN WILL ASSIST HOSPICE

At Christmas time, the most meaningful gifts are often simple ones. Through the Hospice Tree of Life, the simple gift of caring can bring much-needed help to terminally ill patients.

The Hospice Tree of Life, planted two years ago on the grounds of Southeast Missouri Hospital and now lighted for the holiday season, "is a lasting symbol of the hope and compassion of Hospice and the celebration of life in all of its stages," said Southeast Missouri Hospital Cancer Program Coordinator Nancy Mattingly.

The annual Hospice Tree of Life program seeks to raise funds to help meet the many and varied emergency needs of terminally ill patients who have no where else to turn.

Hospice, an extension of Southeast's Home Health and Hospice Services, is a program to provide physical, psychological, social and spiritual support and care for individuals in the final phase of a terminal illness so that they can remain at home, living as fully and comfortably as possible.

The Hospice program at Southeast serves Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Perry and Bollinger counties. Since the Hospice program was developed in 1985, over 200 patients have been served. During 1991, the program has served 65 Hospice patients ranging in age from 6 to 81.

"The holiday season is a time of joy for most of us, but for some patients and families facing a serious illness Christmas can be a painful time. And for those who lack the essentials most of us take for granted medicine, food, even heat the season is even more difficult," Mattingly said.

Last year, contributions to the Hospice Tree of Life helped meet a number of special needs, often in crisis situations.

"The caring of others provided an ambulance so that one Hospice patient could return to his own home. We were able to secure a part-time caregiver for another Hospice patient, and we provided pain medication for several terminally ill individuals," Mattingly said.

She said such pain medication can cost as much as $300. "Whatever the need is, we do our best to meet it," she said. "Contributions to the Hospice Tree of Life are put to very good use."

Approximately $5,000 was raised during last year's campaign, Mattingly said. "We hope to raise at least that much this year. We appreciate the generosity that people have shown by donating to the program but most of all, we appreciate their caring for others. This spirit of sharing means a great deal to our patients."

Southeast's Hospice program is the only one of its kind in the region. Patients are served from hospitals throughout the area.

Contributions to the Hospice Tree of Life may be made in one of two ways in memory of a friend or family member or as a way of honoring a special individual this Christmas. Donations and the name of the individual each honors, may be made to the Hospice Tree of Life/Patient Care Fund and directed to the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation office, 1701 Lacey Street, Cape Girardeau.

More information about the program is available by calling Mattingly at 651-5550.