Only three weeks with Heart House and I met an Angel! Actually, quite a few of them! I was sitting with Jimmy* a Mississauga man struggling with end of life challenges when I saw him point to the Heart House Care Coordinator across the small kitchen table. With tears filling his eyes he said: “Elizabeth is an Angel. We are getting through this time with the help of an Angel.”

Jimmy is bravely living his end of life experience. In his late 40s, with three daughters, he has faithfully worked hard and provided for his family. Now he needs our help. “Because I can’t read or write English, Elizabeth reads all my urgent surgeons reports, helps to get us to the right care givers and even helps us sort out the bills.”

But in the midst of all their tears, Elizabeth helps the family smile. She gives hope to dispel future anxiety. She offers companionship for their journey. While I was being graciously hosted by Jimmy in their little walk up apartment above a convenience store that day, Elizabeth was going through all the options she had found for other assisted accommodation. She had even coordinated the options with transportation routes and school accessibility. You can just imagine how much Jimmy is concerned about his wife and daughter’s future. That was when I heard: “We could not do this without this Angel. Please tell others of this gift to us.”

As I mentioned, I just joined Heart House and like many in our community I had no idea what an important role was being played out by you folk. You “Angels” who support Heart House and these other Angels probably know already that:

• Thousands of home visits are made by the trained staff and volunteers every year to help provide every aspect of non-medical care for the terminally ill among us.

• To stay at home as long as possible, especially through the holiday seasons, hundreds of individuals living with life threatening illnesses and their family members are given angelic care and dignity including companioning, emotional support, advocacy, caregiver relief and then bereavement support for the family.

• At last week’s Day Hospice program (our “clients” enjoy a half day together in support of each other) an Angel named Julia helped Danny feel incredibly useful by assembling a bike to be sold at our fundraising auction.

• A volunteer Angel named Gerry was told by George prior to passing away at home: “So many in my life have wanted something from me. You gave me your ears, while your eyes of love accepted me.”

• Sushil, a 32 year old single mom with a 6 year old daughter was helped during her last weeks by an Angel to write future birthday cards and wedding thoughts which her daughter can open yearly as a continuing legacy of love.

• Another Angel volunteer gave Esa a weekly break from the constant care he was giving to his wife and 14 year old son. Both mother and son died within months of each other of the same deadly illness. Our staff was able to obtain portable matching hospital beds so mom and son could spend their last days together in their own living room.

I have discovered that all the services provided by these Angels at Hospice of Peel are free of charge. While the Ministry of Health and United Way of Peel provide funding, this accounts for only 60% of our operating budget. The rest each year has to come from you! That’s why together we can be Angels NOW!

• $20 provides one family all that compassionate care from an Angel for a week.

• $130 provides transportation for our day hospice clients for one month.

• $520 provides professional 10-week training for our volunteers.

• $1000 provides much needed craft supplies for Day Hospice for six months.

Your financial gift is your compassionate care for those in Mississauga and Brampton with life threatening illness. Your financial gift is your community commitment to those going through a difficult time. And be assured, Your generosity NOW will mean that you are joining the Angels for all of next year. (2008 receipts issued with Dec. 31 dates).

Thank you for what you have done. Hundreds this year had their last moments strengthened with the Heart House care from the Angels. Hundreds more will need it in 2009. That is why we need Your generous gift of kindness and love today.

I will look forward to seeing Your generous gift come in during the next few days and in the spirit of the holiday season, we will all work and rejoice with the Angels!

Warmly

David Walker
Director of Resource Development
Heart House Hospice

P.S. Be an Angel! Send your needed gift in before the end of the month with the enclosed envelope. Or click the “Donate Now” button at www.hearthousehospice.com.

*As you would expect I have written to you these stories from my heart but have changed all the names to respect the confidentiality and dignity of these wonderful people.

If you would like to make a donation, click on "Donate Now".