PINEHURST – In medieval times, travelers who were sick or weary found rest from long journeys in a special place.
A hospice.
Today, FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care carries on that age-old tradition, reaching out to patients and families who are nearing the end of the most amazing journey of all. Life.
Offering comfort and care during even the darkest hours, FirstHealth Hospice makes a difference – ensuring the spirit of every life burns on brightly.
“Hospice differs from traditional health care,” says Director Charlotte Patterson. “Our focus is not on curing the patient. Instead, we reach out with care that emphasizes patient comfort and provides support for families. Through our care, we meet many different people whose life experiences touch our hearts and remind us of the value of every moment. ”
That’s why each year, FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care invites families throughout the region to honor and memorialize their loved ones through a special holiday event called Light Up a Life.
The 19th Annual Light Up a Life Tree-Lighting Ceremony will be held on Thursday, Dec. 2, beginning at 5 p.m. at the FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care building at 5 Aviemore Drive, Pinehurst. A reception will follow the program.
Light Up a Life symbolizes and supports Hospice work, providing a concrete, visual reminder of the loved one throughout the holidays. Funds generated through the project garner a legacy of support for Hospice programs that will continue to touch lives and embrace families.
Each light on the tree represents a contribution to support the mission of FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care and reflects the true spirit of holiday giving throughout the holiday season.
The 2010 event is especially special. This year, donors can designate their gifts to support Hospice operations, the Grief Resource & Counseling Center or the new chapel that is being built on the Hospice campus.
The new Hospice campus will feature extensive gardens, paths and walking trails perfect for peaceful respite and reflection. In addition, an 11-bed FirstHealth Hospice House will provide the local community with a unique resource in a comfortable setting for those who need more acute medical services than can be provided in their homes.
Central to the new campus is a chapel designed to accommodate all spiritual experiences. The glass-windowed chapel overlooks a lake, providing an atmosphere of peace, quiet and reflection.
The new campus will also house the FirstHealth Grief Resource & Counseling Center as well as administrative and volunteer workspaces.
“The 2010 Light Up a Life Ceremony is both an ending and a beginning for FirstHealth Hospice,” says Patterson. “It marks the final holiday we will celebrate in our current facility and the advent of new opportunities to care for the people of our community. As we look forward to the future, we also take time to remember our past with thanks to all of the families, volunteers and donors who have shared their time and resources with our program.”
For more information about FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care or Light Up a Life, call (910) 715-6000.
