A special group of donors was recently recognized for their contributions to the capital campaign for Dallas’s first stand-alone hospice center, Faith Presbyterian Hospice’s T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center. An intimate donor appreciation reception was hosted by Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation to give thanks to those who helped the center reach its $38.6 million goal for phase one construction. The building in which the donor reception was held overlooked the construction site, which was lit for attendees to view. Godwin Dixon, President and CEO of Presbyterian Communities and Services, expressed his gratitude to the donors during a brief program.
“Our goal is to revolutionize hospice care in Dallas by developing an innovative center with meaningful programs and specialized care that will give families a place of transition and provide a comfortable, supportive place for loved ones to live while facing end-of-life illnesses,” said Dixon. “Currently, families receive hospice services at home, in the hospital or in long-term care centers without the benefit of a care center designed specifically to meet their needs. The Pickens Center will focus on families’ needs through five centers of excellence, including inpatient care, spiritual care, education and resources, outdoor reflection and child and family bereavement.”
During the ceremony Dixon also highlighted and paid tribute to a beautiful painting the late Don Hodges had commissioned for T. Boone Pickens to hang in the center. The painting has a quote from Pickens on it, and the artist, Bart Forbes, was also honored at the event. The inpatient hospice care center will serve more than 1,800 patients a year and touch the lives of countless families throughout the Dallas area. The center will be located at 12379 Merit Drive in Dallas, and it is expected to open second quarter 2016. Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation is now focused on raising $4.6 million for start-up costs and $10 million for the endowment, which will continue to grow to support greater programming and care services. Future planning calls for fundraising for a child and family bereavement center.
The human-centered design and array of services will stand as an example to the nation and inspire others. Specialized programs and events, like Camp Faith and Faithful Hands, will help children cope with grief and remember loved ones in a special way. Faith Presbyterian Hospice, Dallas only hospice with a child life specialist available to work with children at each step of the way, will have additional specialized program available for children. Children will continue to receive long-term support services after their loved one passes away. In addition, the Hamon Resource and Education Center will be the hub of numerous educational initiatives that focus on transforming the world’s understanding and practice of hospice care, palliative care and grief support.
“Thanks to our generous donors, we will have the ability to positively impact those in need of hospice care, their families and the people who care for them. At the same time, the center will be a destination for healthcare professionals and student interns to gain knowledge about pain and symptom management through palliative care training, as well as a place for families to learn about caring for a loved one,” said Peter Lynch, executive director of the Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation. "This is an incredibly important mission, and this center will make a tremendous difference in the lives of many people in and around Dallas. We would like to extend a heartwarming thank you to everyone who has been a part of this process and made this mission possible.”
If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Peter Lynch at 214.413.1577.