It is a pleasure to present the Iowa City Hospice 2011 Annual Report and Honor Roll of Donors. Your gifts make a difference and help us bring comfort and peace to those we serve. We remain dedicated to the simple mandate of our founders: extend the same high quality, compassionate care to all at the end of life, regardless of ability to pay.

Our Annual Report also includes the stories of two families served by Iowa City Hospice—the Lakin and Smith families—as well as a snapshot of our work.
Please click here to read our Annual Report.

A heartfelt “thank you” to our wonderful staff for providing exceptional care to every Iowa City Hospice patient.

Ahoy! Our Walk for Dignity is on the horizon! If you forget to mark your calendars you may miss the boat. (OK, enough with the nautical references.)

The point is, don’t just think about it; write it down. Sunday, April 22, 1:00. Then call a friend or two or eight and have them write it down too. Form a team and walk together! This annual event honors the memories of our loved ones, co-workers and friends while also raising money for patient care and bereavement services. Money raised can be used for medication, medical equipment, alternative therapies or caregiver support.

To register, visit http://walkfordignity2012.eventbrite.com/. Once you’ve formed a team, you and your team members can visit http://www.firstgiving.com/iowacityhospice/2012-iowa-city-hospice-walk-for-dignity/fundraisers to set up an online fundraising page. This site makes it easy to send a personal message to others and for those people to make secure donations online.

You are invited to view Linda Schreiber’s photo album – this performance was held March 9th and 10th with proceeds going to Iowa City Hospice:

“Under The Community Big Top” Photo Album

A must-see musical extravaganza is coming to the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts this weekend! Some of the area’s favorite performers, vocalists and dancers of all ages will present a comic medley of Broadway, Hollywood and Hit Parade tunes and entertainment. It’s great fun for a great cause.

7:30 PM Friday, March 9 and 2 PM Saturday, March 10

Purchase tickets at the door or online at:
http://www.coralvillearts.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=43

Pet Peace of Mind® is a program designed to assist terminally ill hospice patients with the care of their beloved pets.

Pet Peace of Mind volunteers provide in-home pet care, exercise and companionship, delivery of pet food and cat litter, transportation to routine veterinary care and grooming appointments, help with temporary boarding, and assisting patients by finding a home for their pet when needed. Volunteers can also help with administrative needs such as making phone calls, scheduling and data entry.

Join us on March 21 from 10 – Noon at Lensing’s Oak Hill Funeral Service, 210 Holiday Road in Coralville. This 2-hour Pet Peace of Mind volunteer training will address:

1. The human-animal bond and the symbolism of pets in the lives of owners
2. The significance of pet ownership on the health and well being of hospice patients
3. Overview of the hospice mission and patient privacy
4. Safety issues working with patients and their pets
5. Referral and volunteer matching process for the Pet Peace of Mind program at Iowa City Hospice

The ideal Pet Peace of Mind volunteer has some understanding of the dynamics of pet ownership and safe animal handling skills. Volunteers with an emotional connection to their own pets will be able to relate to patients and families, gaining their trust in caring for their pet.

Iowa City Hospice is targeting this training session to volunteers available during week days. If you are interested in becoming a Pet Peace of Mind volunteer for Iowa City Hospice, please register for the training at the following link: http://petpeaceofmindatich.eventbrite.com/

It’s coming! Sure as the robins will return and the daffodils will push through the cold soil to dazzle us, our annual Walk for Dignity is just around the corner. Save the date of Sunday, April 22, at 1:00. That’s when we walk, rain or shine, to honor the memories of loved ones who have passed away. Register today at http://walkfordignity2012.eventbrite.com/

Please note that the meeting address has changed for the Adult Caregiver & Bereavement Support Group. This program meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. The new address is: Johnson County Extension, 3109 Old Hwy. 218 South, Iowa City, IA. Please check out our calendar for meeting dates.