This video was produced in 1997 and it changed my life.

We were hired to produce a capital campaign video to raise $13 million to build a residential hospice facility for Alive Hospice. We found early on that few people understood the purpose of hospice. We decided that we needed to tell a personal story to explain the services of hospice and communicate its value. We chose to tell story of my father’s death.

Over the years I have had people ask me whether it’s appropriate to ask people to share their stories at intimate and vulnerable times. I can tell you from personal experience that it is very healing and meaningful – and that’s what I always hear from others. My father grew up poor and worked his way into middle class America. He never would have been able to make a significant financial contribution to building a place where people can die with dignity and love but by sharing his story, he did just that. Every time I drive by Alive Hospice I pray for those who are there and thank God for my Dad. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for the nurses and staff at Alive Hospice and I am passionate about supporting palliative care.