Archives: Stories

Watch how the SoCal Hospice Foundation was able to fulfill Marilyn’s final wish of reuniting her family and saying her final goodbyes.

Pat, 73, was an avid tennis player in his youth. His final wish was to attend the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. SCHF granted him that, plus a special gift from Roger Federer—his all-time favorite player.

Ivan had been aggressively fighting bone cancer with treatment and surgery with poor outcomes. After much thought and discussion, he decided that it was time to focus on quality instead of quantity of life. Ivan and his family made the difficult decision for him to receive comfort care through hospice and enjoy every minute they could together.

With Ivan’s 35th birthday fast approaching, he told his social worker that he wanted to celebrate his last birthday with Mariachi music—the rhythmic music of Mexico that brought him joy and reminded him of home. SoCal Hospice Foundation fulfilled his wish, throwing Ivan a birthday bash surrounded by family and friends and serenaded by a live Mariachi band while he and his guests enjoyed catered Mexican food and a birthday cake.

For more on Ivan’s story, see our 2016 annual report.

William, a 71-year-old hospice patient, battled homelessness and drug addiction for most of his life. Once admitted into hospice, he was able to move into a sober living home. SCHF quickly learned of his love for reading, music, and most importantly Angel’s baseball. We went to work to surprise him with a night he would never forget.

Ashley was unable to celebrate her 13^th birthday (and becoming a teenager!) because she was hospitalized with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. After Ashley’s admission to hospice to pursue comfort and quality of life during the time she had left, SCHF learned that Ashley loved cooking, baking and any show on the Food Network—particularly “Cupcake Wars.”

Ashley was escorted to the Island Hotel Newport Beach, where she was treated like the VIP cooking star she has always wanted to be. Upon arrival at the hotel, her favorite singer, Bruno Mars, was playing in the background and her room was decorated with Happy Birthday signs.

For dinner, she and her little brother wore monogrammed aprons and shared a fabulous cooking demonstration and an exquisite meal prepared by the Island Hotel’s Executive Chef, David Man, and his team. The food included Ashley’s favorite shrimp, of course, creating the perfect ending to a magical 13th birthday celebration!

For more of Ashley’s story, read our feature article in the 2016 SCHF annual report.

At 57 years old, Monte was dying of kidney cancer. His last wish was to give his six-year-old daughter a Christmas she would always remember — their last Christmas together.

SCHF helped fulfill this mother’s final wish to be reunited with her family.

See how Southern California Hospice Foundation helped Michael reunite with his longtime best friend.

A talented and accomplished artist, Betty loved nature and was happiest when sketching. Unfortunately, while on hospice she lived in a board & care facility and was only able to enjoy her pastime on her patio.

When the Southern California Hospice Foundation discovered Betty’s desire to visit the Los Angeles Arboretum Botanical Gardens, arrangements were made to send Betty and her daughter for a day of drawing and relaxation. Betty was able to spend an entire day immersed in her craft, surrounded the beauty of nature.

For more of Betty’s story, see our feature article in the 2015 SCHF annual report.

60-year-old Deborah was a Los Angeles native but had never been to Universal Studios. Her final wish after she received her terminal colon cancer diagnosis was to spend a fun-filled day at the park with her two best friends.

The Southern California Hospice Foundation handled the arrangements, and Deborah was able to meet her favorite characters, and make some memories with those who mattered most to her.

To read more about Deborah’s wish, see our 2014 annual report.