More than 500 community members gathered on April 26 for the annual Hope Blooms for Hospice luncheon at the Spartanburg Marriott. They heard stories of hope and courage and gained perspectives on the work of Spartanburg Regional Hospice caregivers.

The event raised more than $124,000 to support Spartanburg Regional Foundation's Hospice Special Needs Fund. This fund enables hospice caregivers to go the extra mile for patients and families.

“Hope Blooms was a terrific success, and we are grateful for our sponsors and table hosts and for all who attended,” said Kristy Caradori, executive director of Spartanburg Regional Foundation. “Their contributions will make a difference for families going through a difficult time.”

Hospice chaplain Katie Harbin was one of two featured speakers. She talked about the many ways the Spartanburg Regional Hospice teams strives to provide holistic, compassionate end-of-life care for patients as well as support for families both before and after a loved has died. She emphasized a key theme for hospice care: hope and the diverse forms it can take.

“It can be an art therapist tracing and coloring a mother's handprint, so her children can always have that connection and keepsake… It can be a family reunited after years of estrangement as they finally come together to bid their loved one farewell,” Harbin said as she detailed patient experiences she has witnessed.

Attendees also heard from Kelly Clark, whose husband, Tim, passed away in 2017 at the age of 44 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. She said the facility was accommodating to Tim's many visitors in a way that wouldn't have been possible in the Clarks' home.

“They were able to drive right up at any time to brighten his day,” she said. “Lifelong friends and family were able to stay the night with him.”

Clark praised the work of Tim's caregivers and expressed her gratitude for staff members, including Harbin, who have continued to provide guidance and comfort for the family.  She described the hospice team as an “angel army.”

The program also included two short video presentations detailing the reach of Spartanburg Regional Hospice in our community as well as patient and family perspectives. They provided a look at both in-home care and the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Mary Hope Rhodes, who serves as chair of the Foundation's Hospice Division board, explained that the Hospice Special Needs Fund helps patients to “live their lives to the fullest.” For those in financial distress, it may be used to pay an electric bill or cover the cost of medication. Caregivers use the fund to support celebrations and other special occasions for patients and their loves ones, including the delivery of Thanksgiving and Easter meals that feed up to 12 people. Bereavement services are also supported by the Hospice Special Needs Fund.

Kimberely Brown, weekend anchor and reporter at WSPA 7 News, served as emcee for the luncheon. She noted that she has had family members who received hospice care, and she expressed her passion for the mission supported by Hope Blooms.

Kim Ross, who serves as the director of Spartanburg Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, thanked those who made Hope Blooms a success. “Everything you've seen and heard about here today is made possible by, or enhanced by, you and others who contribute to the Hospice Special Needs Fund,” she said.

Donate to Spartanburg Regional Foundation's Hospice Special Needs Fund by visiting https://regionalfoundation.com/donate-now/hospice/.