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Stories about Our Patients

Hospice care is about living well. Read these inspirational stories about our hospice patients. They’re about hope, caring and going the extra mile to make life the best it can be.

Farinella family works through loss with inspired changes

The death of a child is among the hardest burdens to bear. Sophie Farinella, 5, battled cancer since infancy before the disease overcame her in 2011. In her final months, she was cared for by Hospice of the Valley and Ryan... + Read More

The Farinella family

Hawaiian dream trip come true

Jungmee “Mia’’ Peters grew up by the ocean and longed to be by the water again. She got her final wish in November with a trip to Hawaii that Hospice of the Valley staff and the Dream Foundation quickly pulled together against all odds.

When Mia Peters... + Read More

Young cancer patient grateful for support

After a fall, a medical examination revealed that 30-year-old Lisa Underdown had brain cancer. What followed was an unrelenting series of surgeries, treatments and medical complications. Ultimately unable to work, she lost her insurance and moved in... + Read More

Lisa Underdown (right) with nurse Marta Evans

One more ride on the open road

Lifelong biker Andy “Butch’’ Bobbett had a simple wish: To take a ride on the open road.

HOV staff and volunteers pulled together and made that happen on a sunny Sunday afternoon, complete with a borrowed motorcycle and sidecar... + Read More

Members of Breathe Life Riders

Independent trucker gets solace from AZPHC   

Gilbert Ayala’s world has always revolved around one thing: Taking care of others. As a husband, as a father, as a business owner. Married and working at the young age of 13, Ayala has known no other way.

Until now. Ayala, 65, is battling... + Read More

Gilbert and Margie Ayala

“You eased my spirit.”
 
Pat Poulain worked hard all his life, serving as a U.S. Marine, then as a self-employed salesman for a business he owned with his wife, Jerilyn. Then the economy soured and the Poulains had to drop their health insurance because they couldn’t afford the $1,000-a... + Read More

Pat and Jerilyn Poulain

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