Photo by Denise Ritchie

The VNA and Hospice Foundation ordered up a balmy evening last Monday for its Paradise under the Palms donor reception at the Quail Valley River Club’s Tiki Bar.

Founded more than 40 years ago, the VNA of the Treasure Coast “provides compassionate, innovative care of the highest quality, setting the standard for patients and caregivers needing private care, home health, hospice, and community health services.” Donor contributions to the foundation enable the VNA to provide services to patients regardless of their financial resources.

“If I went around this room and I asked all of the donors and board members – Why do you donate to the VNA? Why do you volunteer? Why do you sit on a board and work for the VNA? – I’m sure we all have our own reasons,” said Kathie Pierce, foundation board chair. “Tonight I wanted to give you an opportunity to see a little bit of what the dollars that you donate to the VNA actually do.”

Lundy Fields, VNA president/CEO shared the VNA’s ‘why’ statement, saying that they collaborate as a team “to provide excellent care to patients and families with these four ingredients: integrity, compassion, knowledge and our special ingredient – love. We bring love into the equation, and we do all that so our patients can experience optimal, quality of care at all times.”

Eugene Stewart, a VNA client who became paralyzed from the neck down after a tragic automobile accident in 2015, and VNA occupational therapist Kim Metz shared how Stewart had beaten the odds with the support of the VNA’s charitable care.

Despite being diagnosed as a paraplegic, Stewart’s insurance did not cover the daily occupational and physical therapy he needed to regain any mobility whatsoever. The VNA & Hospice Foundation was able to supplement Stewart’s coverage and provided care until he turned 65 and qualified for Medicare.

“My prayers go out to the foundation, the staff and all of the donors for what you guys are doing. You have made a huge difference in my life,” said Stewart, who can now feed himself, shave, brush his teeth, get out of bed and even walk.

Fields noted that Stewart’s journey “has been an absolute miracle. His therapists have just loved him into healing.”

To learn more information, visit vnatc.com.