Gale Loger (far left) created Team Darrell in memory of her      husband. With over 400 individuals already registered for this year’s Walk of Remembrance, the eleventh annual event promises to be as impactful as ever. For those who have never attended, the walk is an inspirational event centered around a 2.2-mile path throughout the Felician Grounds, from Madonna University to Angela Hospice. Those who have attended often come back year after year. Gale Loger is one walker who will be returning this year. Her husband, Darrell, had spent eight days   in Angela Hospice’s Care Center before he passed in July 2017. Last year was her first time walking, and she found that family and close friends were eager to join her. They formed “Team Darrell” in his memory. “We feel that it’s the least we can do after what Angela Hospice did for Darrell,” Gale said. “Angela Hospice took great care of him.” As Team Darrell, Gale and her family were a...

Hiatham Breadiy  and his mother, Azeza.  The first thing you notice about Azeza Breadiy is her immense determination and focus. Her firstborn son, Hiatham, has a severe form of epilepsy called Lafora Disease. This disease typically doesn’t manifest itself until adolescence. Children grow up normally, with no perceivable problems until they begin to suffer with seizures. Hiatham is 15 and was recently diagnosed with Lafora. From manifestation, which is normally the first seizure, a Lafora victim will die typically within 10 years. There is no cure. Therapy is primarily palliative and aimed at reducing seizures. This is when Angela Hospice stepped in to support the Breadiy family. Social Worker Amanda Davis Amanda Davis is Hiatham’s Angela Hospice social worker. She has teamed up with Azeza and the family to help find community resources for the many things they need to keep Hiatham comfortable. The Breadiy family has three other children, Sophie, age 11; Gehad, ...

Name:   Lin Fantino How long have you been a volunteer?   I became a volunteer in Fall 2017. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? I work primarily in the Care Center, providing support for patients and staff.   I completed a little additional training to allow me to support the Care Center staff with direct care to patients.   This direct care adds a little more depth to the volunteer skill set and it is something I really enjoy.    As volunteers, we are also invited to respond to the requests for volunteer assistance from other Angela departments.   Marketing mailings, special events preparation and participation, and special assignment opportunities are some of the options for volunteers.   I enjoy this variety. What made you decide to become a volunteer? Volunteering has always been something I was drawn to.  M y children are grown and doing well and I had just retired,  so I wante...

Name:   Jeanne Coleman How long have you been a volunteer? For Angela Hospice, almost 2 years, but close to 15 years with hospice — first in New York, then in Utah before moving to Michigan. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? I currently have two areas of volunteering — I work in the Care Center where I help out each Saturday morning with breakfast and any other help needed by the patients, nurses, and aides. Secondly, I am active in the Bereavement Department doing   community outreach work, offering a grief support group to a retirement center. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I was teaching health for grades K-12 in New York when it became very apparent to me that my students were experiencing many losses and grief. I discovered we had no health curriculum that dealt with loss and bereavement, so I began to research sources and found hospice. Based on their work, I designed my own curriculum and was so in aw...

Our home care patient Barb had an unforgettable day at Comerica Park last month. She loves watching the Tigers, and she got the star treatment too, than ks to the Detroit Tigers Dreams Come True program. Barb was right on the field where she had her baseball autographed and got to meet some of the players — including her favorite, Miguel Cabrera. Looking at these photos from her experience, Barb reminds us that it's never too late to make amazing new memories. Barb's Tigers Photo Album Niko Goodrum signs Barb's baseball Barb with her nephew Mike and his wife Kim Barb meeting Leonys Martín Having a chat with Miguel Cabrera It was an unforgettable day at the ballpark Photos are the property of The Detroit Tigers, used with permission.

Name:   Judy Green How long have you been a volunteer?  Since 1996 What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? At first, I worked in the Care Center and did mailings, hospitality, or whatever I was asked to do. One of my long time tasks was providing meals for families in the My Nest is Best program. After my husband's illness and death, I found that patient contact was too difficult. I don't do as much as I did since I've moved away from Livonia to Commerce Township. I still provide desserts for caregiver dinners and help with mailings and fundraising when I can. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I was looking for worthwhile volunteer work after retirement. Angela Hospice is well known and seemed like a good place to volunteer. Why Angela Hospice? It was close to home at the time and a Catholic-based organization that fulfilled a great need. Judy bakes desserts for caregivers suppers for patients and the...

Name:  Bobbie Kowalski How long have you been a volunteer?  Since October 31, 2017 ㄧ So just within this year! What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? My first volunteer project was working with the Tree of Life at Laurel Park. Having spent time there making ornaments with families, and hearing people say, “Thank you for what you do,” (even though I had just made it through my training and had not been on the front lines at this point), it showed me before I even began the impact of the care and love shown to these family members and their loved ones. At this point I decided to move into two areas that I felt called to. I started first in the Care Center working with the staff and patients, then became a part of the Spiritual Care Department as well. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I went through two very tough losses in my life in the last handful of years, my grandfather and then soon after my father. This c...