About Us
In order to ease the process of dying for both the patient and the family, hospice is an essential component of end-of-life care. Patients are given comfort and medical care during their last days alive, and families are given greater peace and ease while losing their loved one. However, due to the high cost of hospice care, families often lack the means to fulfill their loved one's wishes while paying for the care itself. For instance, when speaking with nurses and the volunteer coordinator at Hock Family Pavilion, it became clear to me that patients in hospice care may ask for specific books to be read to them, a specific meal to be delivered, or a certain product/item. These requests can be costly, and hospice centers like Hock Family Pavilion are not equipped to fulfill these requests. In order to ease the burden of these requests and to increase hospice patients' happiness and wellbeing, Bring Happiness for Hospice will be dedicated to raising funds to fulfill hospice patients' requests while in care. In conjunction with Hock Family Pavilion (and with the potential of partnering with more hospice centers in the near future), funds will be raised and allocated towards this purpose. Additionally, club members will work towards delivering the requests (e.g., physically purchasing and delivering a book, meal, item, or other request). While this club is dedicating towards increasing happiness amongst people towards the end of their lives, it also recognizes the great stress and burden that weighs on college students. Thus, the fundraising for hospice patients will center around wellness events that are open to all Duke students. With free events ranging from yoga classes (led by yoga instructor-certified Duke students) to painting classes and meditation practices, these events will be dedicated towards providing stress relief for Duke students. Additionally, events will vary from week to week to keep students interested in and excited about attending. Any Duke student will be able to attend these events for free via registration, and donations at these events will be greatly encouraged and promoted. Additionally, Hock Family Pavilion has expressed interest in conducting fundraising events in the broader Durham community in partnership with a sub-committee at their hospice center. Thus, the overall purpose is to increase the happiness of hospice patients through activities that simultaneously improve Duke students' well-being.
