Celebration of Caring to raise funds for VNA Care and Monahan Home

Worcester area residents and business leaders are organizing Celebration of Caring in support of VNA Care’s home health and end-of-life services and the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. The benefit will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Worcester Art Museum.

VNA Care has brought life-changing health care into patients’ homes and the community for over 130 years. The nonprofit’s home health care services enable people to manage complex and chronic health conditions, recover safely at home after a surgery or hospitalization, and achieve their optimal health. As one former home health care patient shared, “VNA Care was a Godsend to me. The nurses get us back on track, and give us our lives back."

Individuals and loved ones facing a terminal diagnosis can count on VNA Care’s hospice team for comprehensive care during the end-of-life journey, including pain and symptom management and grief support before and after a family’s loss. VNA Care provides hospice in patients’ homes, assisted living and other facilities, and at VNA Care’s Rose Monahan Hospice Home. Hospice care is incredibly impactful, enabling patients to live with dignity and families to focus on meaningful time together. The son of a late hospice patient said, “It was just such a comforting, wonderful experience the way they cared for Dad. They not only took care of his physical needs, but his spiritual needs as well.”

VNA Care’s Worcester Area Community Cabinet, volunteers dedicated to raising awareness of and support for the agency’s nonprofit mission of caring, are organizing Celebration of Caring. Members include Janet Birbara, Linda Haddad, Robin Spaulding, and Mary Whalen, all of Worcester; Liisa Holm of Marsh McLennan Agency in Worcester; Susan Carrigan, RN, WCC, and Cheryl Milas, both of VNA Care in Worcester; Mary Surette of Shrewsbury; and Linda Maykel, DDS, of Dudley.

The evening of inspiration and celebration will include a cocktail reception, small plate dining, live music, and a behind the scenes look at VNA Care’s work in the community. Marsh McLennan Agency is the Presenting Sponsor.

Karen Webber, director of fund development for VNA Care, said, “The Worcester Area Community Cabinet is incredibly dedicated to ensuring local residents get the health care they need and deserve. We’re so grateful to have them raising vital funds to support our visiting nurses and clinicians.”

VNA Care is able to provide its numerous nursing and patient care services through the support of individual and corporate supporters. For information on sponsorship opportunities that include event tickets and special recognition, contact Karen Webber at 508-658-7700 or Karen_Webber@vnacare.org. Purchase event tickets ($75 per person) or make a donation at http://www.vnacare.org/worcester.