All Aboard the Love Boat! Benefit Cruise Set June 26 for Brian's House
Bay Medical Foundation Sponsors Drive to Add Rooms to Hospice Facility
June 5, 2008
By: Dave Rogers
"We expect the 160 guests that we can accommodate aboard the Princess Wenonah will really enjoy the Love Boat Cruise," said Keith Markstrom, director of the Bay Medical Foundation.
Ahoy! All aboard the Love Boat to support hospice care in the Bay area.
With demand growing for hospice service, Bay Medical Foundation is raising $1.2 million to add six patient suites to Brian's House.
The target facility to be improved is located on the west campus of Bay Regional Medical Center, 3140 West Campus Drive, just off Midland Road.
Brian's House, an inpatient hospice facility, is a division of Visiting Nurse Services of Michigan (VNSM), a service of McLaren Health Care.
"We expect the 160 guests that we can accommodate aboard the Princess Wenonah will really enjoy the Love Boat Cruise," said Keith Markstrom, director of the Bay Medical Foundation. "Thanks to our many volunteers who are planning a shipboard party complete with story boards for educational purposes, great food, drinks, music, and the opportunity to donate to a great cause."
"Brian's House is such a great program, and with demand growing for these services, we knew we needed to kick things off in a big way."
"This project to add six additional patient suites is just too important not to do," said Joe Sasiela, Sr., of National City Bank and chairman of the Foundation's Brian's House campaign.
Brian's House is a 12-suite hospice that helps terminally ill patients - and their loved ones - make the most of every moment in the greatest possible comfort and joy when care can no longer be met at home.
The average stay at Brian's House is about 14 days. Brian's House is the only state-licensed, inpatient hospice facility in mid-Michigan. It is constantly filled to capacity and many patients must be placed on a waiting list when quality times becomes an issue.
VNSM completed the Brian's House facility in 2005 and occupancy has been nearly 100 percent since the opening.
Hospice emphasizes maximizing quality of life by maintaining pain and symptom control for the dying patient. Each suite is designed as a home-away-from-home for terminally ill patients and their families.
Suites at Brian's House are decorated with resort themes. there are attached living room and quiet areas for patients and families to gather and a child's play area.
Facilities are fully equipped to meet the medical needs of patients while maintaining a home-like atmosphere.
For tickets or more information about the Love Boat Cruise to benefit Hospice at Brian's House, call Bay Medical Foundation, 989-667-6262 or log on bayregional.org/foundation.###