June 16, 2006

Hospice of the Valley's Western Gala raises more than
$200,000 for end-of-life care services, programs

Announces move to new location

Hospice of the Valley, the oldest community-based, nonprofit hospice serving Santa Clara County since 1979, welcomed more than 350 guests to its 26th Annual Western Gala, “City Slickers,” on May 19 at The Summit Center in downtown San Jose. Early estimates indicate that the event raised well over $200,000 for quality end-of-life care services and programs for adults and children facing life-limiting illnesses.

Pam Williams, HOV board president for Hospice of the Valley, returns Skip Adams’ cowboy hat after borrowing it for a photograph. Photo by Jeff Frazee

“This gala, by far, has been one of the most successful fund-raising events we’ve hosted,” exclaimed Sally Adelus, executive director of Hospice of the Valley. “From the moment our guests entered the foyer and during the entire evening, you could feel the energy emanating from the crowd. It was exciting to see the program unfold and how everything came together in the name of hospice.”

“We would not have exceeded our goal without the overwhelming generosity and support of our gala sponsors and guests,” added Adelus. “Coupled with the evening’s energy and western-theme atmosphere, our guest speakers took the dining crowd to a whole new level of live auction excitement—by sharing, touching, inspirational speeches that resonated with the audience, as Nicholas Adams and Michael Nevarez, respectively received standing ovations.”

Behind a western-theme backdrop, guests enjoyed wine tasting, live music, dinner and a silent and live auction.

Master of Ceremonies Brian Adams kicked off the evening by sharing his personal hospice connection. About 14 months ago, Hospice of the Valley had the honor to serve his mother and family. There was not a dry eye in the house when 20-year-old, Nicholas Adams, Brian’s eldest son, delivered a heartfelt and touching speech about Grandma Pauline—how she lived, what hospice care and the grief support Grandpa Skip received meant to his family. Nicholas described when he learned from his father that his grandmother’s cancer diagnosis and prognosis was terminal and that she did not have much time left. Nicholas went on to say how Hospice of the Valley helped make the transition for the entire family more comfortable and allowed the family to be with her and each other. Nicholas noted that even though Hospice of the Valley was there for one week, it made a significant impact on everyone.

“The nurses, home health aide and social workers were gentle and understanding. They treated grandma’s life and our lives with dignity and respect. When the time was near for a final goodbye, the nurse knew, and gave the family privacy—another sign of hospice compassion and caring,” said Nicholas. “Hospice has and continues to be a blessing for Grandpa and our family. How fortunate people are to have such an outstanding, professional organization that knows what real love is.” In closing, Nicholas said, “Hospice of the Valley is more than a place or doctors or nurses. It is a feeling, a comforting feeling. It is a feeling of peace, gratitude, and friendship. So thank you. Thank you for the gift you are to so many, and thank you for helping us to smile again.”

As Nicholas left the stage, his father embraced him. Nicholas returned to his seat where he was greeted with tearful hugs and kisses from Grandpa Skip and his mother Gina Adams, as the surrounding table guests, with tears in their eyes, looked on with admiration at the young man’s composure.

“I couldn't be more proud of my son for sharing his personal feelings at the gala. Both my sons were extremely close to my mother and her loss continues to be felt strongly. Our family was blessed by the wonderful caregivers of Hospice of the Valley.  That gift, and our faith, made all the difference in experiencing my mother’s life transition,” said Brian Adams.
 
Later in the program, just when you thought your emotional heart strings weren’t tugged enough, Hospice of the Valley support volunteer, Michael Nevarez, addressed the crowd with the notion of how “our lives are open loops” which is a basic concept that each person has this open loop that only other human beings can complete. It speaks to the fact that we all need interaction and that it is just as important during the last stages of life as it is in the beginning.

Michael related a poignant story of a hospice patient and how they both through shared experiences became part of one loop. He shared how the patient, later on, expressed guilt about his coming to her house and spending time because she couldn’t do anything for him. They talked about the fact that the lessons he has learned from her through their conversations and interactions helped him more than she could possibly realize. He reassured her that by this experience, she has helped him with the next patient and client and every one thereafter. Michael continued by saying, “She gives me service indefinitely, as she has become a part of my open loop in which I will go forth and interact with the world.” He stated that her service is something that never ever dies, and she could never have imagined that she would be helping him in this way.

The impact that Michael has had on the lives of the people he comes in contact with has been rewarding and enriching. Two years ago, as a research associate for a local VA hospital, Michael came to Hospice of the Valley to do volunteer work with clients and patients. Michael’s volunteer experience with Hospice of the Valley has been awe-inspiring, profound and life-changing. With that said, in August 2006, Michael leaves Hospice of the Valley to attend medical school at Harvard where he will continue to extend his open loop.

“There’s no doubt that the audience connected with Brian Adams and his son Nicholas when they shared their personal hospice story and later Michael Nevarez, who spoke of his experience as a patient and client support volunteer,” said Gary Montrezza, the newly named chief operations office for Hospice of the Valley.

“The success of the gala is a perfect opportunity to announce our plans to move to a new location in order to meet our community’s growing need and demand for end-of-life care programs and services,” said Montrezza. “The new facility is located on Union Avenue near Highway 85 and is being renovated to fit our community-centric approach toward service. The move will be completed by late summer 2006.”

“The new facility will enable us to expand our community grief support and education rooms, enhance our clinical team areas and streamline our operations through increased efficiency,” states Adelus. “This ultimately translates into enhancing the care we provide directly at our patients’ bedside. It further expands our ability to serve more individuals and families with our adult and children’s programs, our grief support groups, and our community education outreach—all while providing high standards of care, excellence and improving the quality of life for those we have the honor and privilege to serve,” added Adelus.

The relocation is in response to growing trends and needs for end-of-life care. By 2010, it is estimated that there will be a 43 percent increase over today’s 65+ population in Santa Clara County. Coupled with a pending caregiver crisis and increased consumer awareness for end-of-life care services, the community is faced with the challenge of meeting a rapidly escalating need for end-of-life care.

“*A General Theory of Love” by Thomas Lewis, M.D., Fari Amini, M.D. and Richard Lannon, M.D., Vintage, January 2001, 978-0-375-70922-7 (0-375-70922-3)

About Hospice of the Valley
Hospice of the Valley (HOV), the oldest community-based, public benefit hospice in Santa Clara County, has provided compassionate end-of-life care and bereavement support for over 23,000 people since 1979. Embracing comfort, dignity and quality of life, HOV provides the patient and family an interdisciplinary team approach to end-of-life care, which includes medical, social, psychological, spiritual, volunteer and bereavement support. HOV’s Community Grief Center provides individual and group grief support and is available to anyone experiencing a loss.

A children's grief counseling program specializes in age-appropriate counseling for children and teenagers ages 4 through 18. Transitions, a volunteer-based community service program, designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families facing life-limiting illness, provides clients with emotional support, education and practical assistance, is sponsored by Hospice of the Valley and funded by community grants and donations. HOV is a member of the California State Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and is a United Way agency.

For information about Hospice of the Valley and how you can support or donate your gift of time, call 408.947.1233 or visit www.hospicevalley.org.