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Latest News: Community Hospice Halfway to Funding Goal for Bailey Family Inpatient Hospice Center Jacksonville, Fla. - Community Hospice of Northeast Florida® is pleased to announce that the organization has received more than $2.8 million in contributions and pledges toward a $5 million capital campaign goal to build the Bailey Family Center for Caring, an inpatient hospice care center at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. “Since we announced our agreement with Flagler Hospital in May, the response from the St. Augustine community has been overwhelming,” said Susan Ponder-Stansel, Community Hospice president and CEO. “We are gratified to know that so many people have come forward in support of this inpatient care center, which will provide end-of-life care and an improved quality of life for families in St. Johns County.” In addition to a seven-figure gift from the Mark Bailey family to name the center, the capital campaign has received generous leadership gifts from several St. Augustine individuals and organizations. Notably, Prosperity Bank and the Upchurch family made a memorial gift to dedicate the chapel of the new inpatient care center in honor of Hamilton Upchurch, who founded the bank in 1984 and passed away in January 2008. “Hamilton Upchurch was a leader in our community for nearly 60 years — mayor, city commissioner, state legislator and assistant state attorney as well as founder of two banks, an active Rotarian and devout Presbyterian,” says Ponder-Stansel. “He was a strong advocate and supporter of Community Hospice and had been working on the campaign for a St. Augustine inpatient hospice care center at the time of his death. The dedication of the chapel in his memory is a fitting tribute to a man who selflessly gave his time, talent and treasure to his community.” Upchurch, 82, died January 6, 2008, after battling cancer. “My father was a loving, caring generous man,” says Tracy W. Upchurch, a St. Augustine attorney. “He loved St. Augustine and he gave his time freely to make this community better. He never turned down a community leadership volunteer position if he felt he could personally help the organization. He didn’t just lend his name to a cause — he contributed wholeheartedly to what he believed in. “Three members of my family have had hospice care, including my brother who was chronically ill for some time before he passed away in 2005,” notes Tracy Upchurch. “During my brother’s illness, my family realized that having local care options is truly a blessing because sometimes he would receive treatment at hospitals in Jacksonville, in Gainesville, and finally here in St. Augustine.” “So having experienced Community Hospice care first-hand, my father knew the importance of having quality, compassionate end-of-life care close to home,” continues Upchurch. “And he wanted to make this inpatient hospice care center a reality for the community he loved.” The Bailey Family Center for Caring will be an 11,000 square-foot facility adjoining Flagler Hospital just west of its main entrance. Through its Community of Care Capital Campaign, Community Hospice will fund the total cost of construction through community philanthropic support. Construction is expected to begin in late 2009.
The Bailey Family Center for Caring will include 12 private patient rooms, as well as family gathering areas, chapel, kitchen and lounge areas for use by employees and family members, and staff offices. Community Hospice medical staff, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social service specialists and spiritual counselors will provide 24-hour care, seven days a week in a unique homelike setting, complete with gardens and walkways. Established in 1979 as the first hospice program in Northeast Florida, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida® helps nearly 900 patients live better with advanced illness each day in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, through the support of approximately 700 employees and 900 volunteers. The nonprofit organization has served more than 53,000 children and adults—at home, in long term care facilities, hospitals and through four inpatient care centers throughout Jacksonville. Community Hospice Foundation™ generates philanthropic and community support for patient care services, family needs and community programs such as Community PedsCare®, a pediatric palliative and hospice program. No one is ever denied care due to an inability to pay. To learn more about the support and services of Community Hospice, visit www.communityhospice.com. Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and Community PedsCare are registered trademarks and Community Hospice Foundation is a trademark of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc.
Contact: Colleen Hart Communications Manager - Foundation Community Hospice of Northeast Florida 904.407.6132
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