Hendrick Hospice Care’s annual Light Up a Life fundraiser underway

For many years, Hendrick Hospice Care has kicked off its annual Light Up a Life fundraising campaign in November, which also is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

As a nonprofit, Hendrick Hospice Care uses donations to Light Up a Life to serve all patients by offering financial assistance to those who qualify. In 2024, Hendrick Hospice Care provided more than $250,000 in financial assistance to patients.

“Hendrick Hospice Care provides patients and their families with physical, emotional and spiritual support at every step of the end-of-life journey,” said Brad Benham, vice president for Hendrick Medical Center Foundation. “Each member of our Hospice team extends compassion and grace in providing individualized care and walking alongside families.”

Founded in 1982 as Abilene’s first hospice program, Hendrick Hospice Care serves more than 1,000 patients and their families annually within a 65-mile radius of Abilene. End-of-life care is provided at the Hendrick Hospice Care Center and in homes, nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals. Hendrick Hospice Care also participates in the We Honor Veterans program to meet the unique hospice needs of those who served in the military.

A donor can honor someone with an engraved paver ($500) or brick ($250) placed in the Legacy Park walkway outside Hendrick Hospice Care Center. Or, become a Hospice Star by pledging $20 per month for one year. A donation of $20 in memory or honor of someone will be written on a decorative bulb on the 50-foot Light Up a Life Christmas tree at Mall of Abilene, or at the Christmas tree at Roscoe Bank in Sweetwater.

Donations to the Light Up a Life campaign can be made at the secure website hendrickhospice.org/lights. Every dollar contributed to Light Up a Life goes toward patient care. For information, call Hendrick Hospice Care at 325-670-2273.