When my father was a Treasure Coast Hospice (TCH) patient in 2004, all I knew about hospice care was hospice houses. Now I know that TCH also serves patients and family members at home, in nursing or other care facilities. TCH is much more than a place, it's an organization of caring professionals and volunteers who help families throughout the communities of St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties. The original St. Lucie Hospice House was destroyed by the 2004 hurricanes. Thankfully, it was replaced with a larger, modern and thoughtfully designed facility that provides a caring environment to serve the needs of both patient and family members

Recently I learned that TCH is building a new facility, the Counseling Center, next to the hospice house in Fort Pierce and has started a fundraising campaign. I support them because I know they will be there for me, my family, friends and neighbors. My mother and I were confused, scared and anxious as to how we could care for my father when his needs exceeded our ability to care for him ourselves. My aunt guided us to TCH when she recognized we desperately needed help but that we were so intensely focused on my father and exhausted we didn't know exactly what to do. I share my experiences with TCH when I can, because the only regret I have is that we didn't reach out and ask for help sooner. My last days with my father are ones that I cherish because I saw the quality of care he received, and the care that my whole family experienced from TCH. When you need them, they are there - you just need to realize when it's time to reach out to them.

I can't imagine a more compassionate service to help families spend important time with loved ones. It takes truly special people to give this gift to families.