Debbie Bennett was called to be a steadfast wife to husband Thomas and a devoted mother to their  children, Christopher, Kelly, and Robin. She has relied on God to get through the hard times her family has faced, and has been grateful that Angela Hospice was there too, when she really needed support. Robin & Chris In 1989, at the age of 12, Christopher, her oldest child, was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called Friedreich's Ataxia (FA). Chris was a smart and funny music-lover, and accomplished artist who was beloved by his family and many friends. By his junior year in high school, he began to use a wheelchair. As with many diseases of the nervous system, there has never been a cure or effective treatment for FA. Debbie and her family enlisted Angela Hospice's help to care for Chris before he passed away in 2004. He was just 26 years old. "I didn't know what to expect...hospice comes in and does so much more than care for a sick person, they...

Bill is surrounded by three of his four children at the American Legion Hall in Melvindale, Michigan. "I don't deserve this," said 92-year-old Angela Hospice home care patient Bill Heitman as he walked into his surprise tribute and pinning ceremony that Angela Hospice volunteers planned in his honor. The event took place at the Melvindale, Michigan, American Legion. Many of his friends and family gathered to honor this gentleman. After  serving in the United States Navy in World War II and serving more than 20 years as Chaplain at his American Legion post, Bill does deserve this honor and much more. For more than 40 years, Bill served the American Legion and the Veterans Administration as a volunteer. He and his wife, Helen, brought up 4 children, Keith, Gary, Brian, and Cheryl, who are immensely proud of their parents. Bill is so humble that while working as a divisional forms representative at Ford Motor Company he learned that when you earned a co...

Two of Angela Hospice’s volunteers have given our patients and families a wonderful gift: a beautiful butterfly garden on the grounds of the Angela Hospice Care Center. It’s meant to be more than just something pretty to look at. It’s a place to experience nature in a way that can soothe the soul. (Like most of our selfless volunteers, these two weren’t looking for any recognition when they made this generous gesture, and in fact, they wish to remain anonymous. So let’s call them Oliver and Eve.) It was Oliver who first had the idea for a butterfly garden. He had been reading about native plants, and one day when he was working at the Care Center, the idea struck him: what about installing a butterfly garden at Angela Hospice? “If you’ve ever had something really sad happen in your life and you’re kind of just sitting there contemplating it, you notice the simplest things, things you never would have noticed before,” Oliver said. “And I think that’s what gives you peace. T...

Angela Hospice doesn't have a magic lamp, but we were able to grant a wish for one very sick local grandmother with glioblastoma, enabling her to spend some time with her family in a setting that has always made her happy. Linda, who turned 70 in March, raised a happy family of four just outside Detroit with her husband Pete. That family grew to 23 with marriages and the addition of 13 grandchildren. They instilled family loyalty that included a love of family gatherings and a healthy sense of humor. So when Linda was diagnosed with a brain tumor last October, the family rallied the troops. “It was so hard to comprehend because other than what we thought was bronchitis, she was just fine,” recalled Linda’s sister Debbie Scott. But by January, the effects of the disease and were hard to ignore. The insidious brain tumor, the same kind John McCain had, was difficult to treat with surgery because it spreads like tendrils through the brain. The family decided on a treatment plan ...

    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...