Heartland Hospice agencies on the East Coast knew that our health care partners needed a smile and wanted to spread a little cheer during Nurses Week and these challenging times. The agencies made thank you signs and brightened sidewalks with artwork, thank yous and words of encouragement to thank the nurses and to bring cheer to those coming into work at many facilities the agencies work closely with. The agencies that participated in the sign making serve surrounding areas of:

• Allentown, PA
• Atlanta, GA
• Augusta, GA
• Broward, FL
• Brunswick & Jesup, GA
• Cartersville, GA
• Chadds Ford, PA
• Charleston, SC
• Greenville, SC
• Homestead, FL
• Jacksonville, FL
• Macon, GA
• Myrtle Beach, SC
• Newark, DE
• Northfield, NJ
• Philadelphia, PA
• Raleigh, NC
• Reading, PA
• Woodbury, NJ

Heartland Hospice agencies on the East Coast knew that our health care partners needed a smile and wanted to spread a little cheer during these challenging times. The agencies made thank you signs and signs with words of encouragement to brighten the days of those coming into work at many facilities the agencies work closely with. The agencies that participated in the sign making serve surrounding areas of:

• Allentown, PA
• Atlanta, GA
• Augusta, GA
• Broward, FL
• Brunswick & Jesup, GA
• Cartersville, GA
• Chadds Ford, PA
• Charleston, SC
• Greenville, SC
• Homestead, FL
• Jacksonville, FL
• Macon, GA
• Myrtle Beach, SC
• Newark, DE
• Northfield, NJ
• Philadelphia, PA
• Raleigh, NC
• Reading, PA
• Woodbury, NJ

"My nana, Doris, was not only a kindhearted, a devoted person - she was tough as nails. She endured an extremely difficult life, but she navigated through with grace and humor. If you weren't one step ahead of her, she was about to 'get you' with a good-natured prank. And as much as she loved to laugh, she loved to love people even more. My nana welcomed every person with open arms, sweet tea and a Little Debbie treat. She loved and treated everyone just the same, whether they were homeless or the CEO of a huge corporation, words of affirmation and a little reminder that Jesus loves us. She didn't care what anyone thought, she knew the human touch was healing, and she was determined to heal you with a back scratch.

Without Heartland Hospice, my family and I truly believe my nana's last days would have been vastly different. Heartland Hospice seemed to be hand-wrapped, tied with a bow, and presented to us by God. Their admission nurse, Ally, stayed with my aunt for hours at the hospital to determine if my nana could be safely transported from the hospital to her skilled nursing facility. Heartland's nurses monitored her, staved off exacerbations and were present when my nana needed quick medical attention. The facility was so impressed at the difference between my nana needed quick medical attention. The facility was so impressed at the difference between my nana receiving hospice vs. without the service. My nana was comfortable and calmer. My nana was able to do her favorite thing one last time - meet new friends. The very ones who had been taking care of her in the previous weeks. She was able to create a few new memories and make a lot of people laugh. Most importantly, she was able to verbalize that she would actually like to transition to her heavenly home from her earthly home. The nurse made sure we had everything we needed and knew exactly what to do for my nana. The peace of mind that Heartland offered was the most valuable gift I've been given in my entire adult life.

Thanks to Heartland Hospice's persistent and present team, we were all made aware early the following day that we should gather to say our goodbyes. As members of our family trickled in the following hours to say their goodbyes, Heartland's nurses took care of us just as much as they took care of my grandmother. My nana passed peacefully on June 15th surrounded by love - from both my family and Heartland Hospice. Heartland made the following hours, days and now months seamless and peaceful. I cannot thank Heartland's team enough for the time they dedicated to not just my nana, but to me and my family. At my nana's funeral, I looked up and saw five faces from the Heartland team beaming at my with the sentiment, 'We have got your back,' and my heart melted. I felt pure, unconditional and unwavering love my from nana for 35 years. The kind of love you can count on and know is always going to be there. I felt that same kind of pure love from Heartland Hospice that day. And months later, they're still here for us."

Mr. Feaster V. Tribble III, affectionately known as “Van” by his family, who has a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, informed Carmella, Medical Social Worker at Heartland Hospice serving The Upstate, that he wanted to go home one more time. Carmella met with his family and together they planned a surprise party for his trip home to celebrate his 77^th birthday.

Mr. Tribble was pleasantly surprised upon his arrival home where he saw his family members who came from all over to celebrate his birthday. He had many family members in attendance including daughter Carrie and grand-daughter Carolina. There were also many Heartland Hospice team members that were able to attend. Mr. Tribble was over the moon with excitement seeing everyone to celebrate his birthday.

Stories were shared about the amazing life Mr. Tribble has led. His daughter Carrie shared how her dad was born with a hearing loss and it wasn’t until he was 50 years old that he could hear the sound of birds. Afterwards, he began taking piano lessons and Carrie remembered his first recital during the Christmas holidays. Mr. Tribble was a master at needle point and some of his work took more than five years to complete. Some of his needle point pieces appeared in Architecture Digest Magazine. He was also an incredible master gardener and he would plant hundreds of lily bulbs. In 1989 his courtyard was featured in Southern Living.