Faribault Area Hospice Foundation Featured on AM Minnesota

Audrey Tebo is a board member of the Faribault Area Hospice Foundation and will be on our KDHL AM Minnesota program today to give us details about Monday's "Light Up A Life" tree lighting ceremony on the District One Hospital Allina campus.

Since 1985, Faribault Area Hospice had conducted this fundraiser as a way to pay for services not covered by insurance for those receiving hospice care.

When Allina took over District One, the Faribault Area Hospice program was ended because Allina has their own hospice program. Those involved with Faribault Area Hospice did not want to see the "Light Up A Life" campaign end so they started the Faribault Area Hospice Foundation.

They are a nonprofit organization, 501(c)(3), developed to manage the generous donations made with the intention of providing additional support to residents of the Faribault area who are receiving hospice care. The foundation is governed by a vounteer board of directors.

The foundation does not provide direct care, but does provide comfort therapies and financial assistance for services that are not covered by Medicare or other insurance programs. Tebo told me the amount of money raised has been lower than normal this year and she believes people in the area don't realize the foundation exists.

The tree lighting will be the same as in past years: a brief ceremony with music and a short message of reflection followed by a gathering for refreshments in the hospital basement.

We will get all the details from Audrey at 9:30AM. If you can't listen then, I encourage you to go to our YouTube channel and learn more about the services provided by the Faribault Area Hospice Foundation.

Their mission statement: "Our mission is to support all hospice providers as they provide care to improve the quality of life through comfort care, support and compassion for Faribault area patients and their loved ones receiving hospice services as they face the end of life challenges."

Financial assistance is available to any Faribault-area patient enrolled with any hospice who may be experiencing financial hardship.

Examples of hardship support include, but are not limited to, gas and travel expenses, groceries, preventing disconnection of utilities, special equipment needed, short-term respite care, and limited hospice home stay.

To apply for assistance, the foundation website is www.faribaultareahospicefoundation.org, or you may contact them via email at info@faribaultareahospicefoundation.org.

The toll-free number is (866) 506-7049.

All requests are reviewed by a foundation board committee and responses are provided within 72 hours.