Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care

10/26/2025

🥳 Congratulations to our outstanding Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH) Communications Team on winning two gold PRISM awards - which are accolades recognizing excellence in public relations - from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at the 2025 Greater Kansas City PRSA PRISM Awards last Thursday, October 16!

🎉 An extra special shout out to the wonderful Allison Apple, KCH Donor Specialist, on designing both of these GOLD award-winning campaigns:

🏆 Our Annual Report: Kaleidoscope
🏆 Our Annual Appeal: Holiday Hero

Thank you to our Communications Team: Sarah Ruttle, KCH Director of Communications & Strategic Funding; Jeannie Wilcox, KCH Sr. Communications Manager; Allison Apple, KCH Donor Specialist; Angela Ross; KCH Communications Specialist; and Jessica Kelly, KCH Communications Coordinator.

Their expertise continues to shine through, helps us raise essential funds as a nonprofit, and strengthens our brand and recognition in our community.

We’re proud of the stories we can share because of the collective work of all of our teams and the support of our patients and families – KCH teamwork leads to GOLD!

10/24/2025

This week is National Healthcare Quality Week - a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated professionals on our team at Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH) who make quality and safety their mission every single day.

These professionals go above and beyond to provide expert and trusted care to our patients and their families. In fact, families served by KCH would recommend our care 91% of the time vs. a national benchmark of 87% - and we consistently beat national benchmarks on quality measures.

Thanks to the quality care provided by our team members, KCH is rated above the national benchmark on 8/8 client outcome measures for a rolling 12 months. Learn more about why we are the best in care at KCHospice.org/bestincare

10/22/2025

This week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, a time to reflect on how the plans we make today can bring comfort and peace of mind to the people we love. At Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, we see every day how planning ahead can ease difficult moments.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, October 23 at noon on Zoom for our Community Education Series Session End-of-Life Planning in the Digital Age.

In this Skills For Your Life session our speakers Bill Riek, CFRE, KCH Associate Director of Gift Planning and Mary Zahner Bauer, BSW, KCH Director of Donor Relations will share what you can do with new tools in today’s digital age to convey your wishes and distribute your assets without burdening your loved ones later.

Learn the simple steps you can take to manage your online presence, digital assets, and preferences for your digital afterlife. Being prepared is an important gift for you, your family and other personal representatives.

Register now at KCHospice.org/CommunityEducation - we look forward to seeing you!

Check out our free planning resources at KCHospice.org/Legacy

10/21/2025

"Alzheimer’s disease is a serious illness and deservedly so. But sometimes laughter can be good medicine. My experience is that people with Alzheimer’s can say some pretty amusing things. Many times, the person is aware and even proud they said something humorous. Then we laugh with the person – not at them.

These moments can be among the most precious we’ll ever have with our loved ones."

Check out the recent blog post by Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH) volunteer Marie Marlie to read more and enjoy some fun examples that she shares from her volunteer experiences.

My experience is that people with Alzheimer’s can say some pretty amusing things. Dementia Care Resources is a valuable patient and caregiver resource guide from Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care.

10/20/2025

National Pastoral (Spiritual) Care Week is recognized October 19-25, 2025 and this year's theme is 40 Years of Spiritual Support.

The celebration of Pastoral (Spiritual) Care Week provides an opportunity for chaplains and pastoral care counselors, educators and providers to share their stories and celebrate various ministries.

At Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH) we recognize this week because it gives us a chance to acknowledge our valued chaplains and all the important work they do to serve our patients, their families, and our local community. How fortunate we are to have an amazing team of chaplains providing spiritual comfort during times of serious illness, and at the end of life.

Additionally, these esteemed professionals provide a safe space for our team members to share their concerns during difficult moments. KCH chaplains respond with selfless acts of listening, going beyond their religious roles, and providing moments of hope and resilience for ALL.

We’re so fortunate to have the very best chaplains in the city - right here within our organization.

Please join us in thanking a KCH chaplain this week!

10/19/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is an opportunity to share education and awareness about the impact breast cancer has on individuals and their loved ones, and to learn more about this disease and how to be proactive with breast health.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer death rates have declined 44% since 1989 among U.S. women. The progress is attributed to improvements in early detection and treatments.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation is helping women now by inspiring hope and providing help to those affected by breast cancer by offering early detection, education, and support services.

For more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and how to support these efforts visit nationalbreastcancer.ego

10/18/2025

Check out this heartwarming story about how Kansas City showed up for Tucker, a wonderful 3-year-old boy receiving services on our Carousel Pediatric Care program.

Thousands of people joined a special parade just for him! Way to go KC & way to go Tucker! Special shout out to KCFD Station 10! !

Watch it at FOX4 News Kansas City

A local family thought they were planning a simple parade for their 3-year-old son, but what happened next was something no one could have imagined.

10/18/2025

🤩 Sunday Night Live, our largest fundraising event of the year held on October 5, 2025, was truly a night to remember!

With the help of more than 60 incredible volunteers contributing nearly 230 hours, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care raised a record-breaking $655,000 to support our care and programs.

From greeting guests and promoting auction items to cheering on game players and capturing joyful moments, event volunteers helped make the evening sparkle from start to finish.

Smiles and cheers echoed throughout the event as 575 registered guests joined in the fun. Guests and staff alike shared their gratitude and admiration for our volunteers.

We’re especially thankful for our very own KCH volunteers and the wonderful groups from Children's Mercy, the National Charity League, Inc., Heart of Kansas City Chapter, and individual community volunteers who gave their time and enthusiasm to make KCH SHINE ON such a success.

Thank you for helping Kansas City Hospice continue to bring comfort, care, and compassion to our community!

Volunteer with us at KCHospice.org/volunteer

10/17/2025

📣 October is National Estate Planning Month - the perfect reason to join us on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at noon on Zoom for our complimentary Community Education Session, End-of-Life Planning in the Digital Age.

Our speakers Bill Riek, CFRE, KCH Associate Director of Gift Planning and Mary Zahner Bauer, BSW, KCH Director of Donor Relations will discuss the importance of planning in this Skills For Your Life session.

Today’s rapid technological advances impact every aspect of our lives including end-of-life planning. No matter your age, even a little basic planning will bring you and your loved ones peace of mind, protection and provision before unexpected circumstances occur.

Learn what you can do with new tools in today’s digital age to convey your wishes and distribute your assets without burdening your loved ones later. Find out the simple steps you can take to manage your online presence, digital assets, and preferences for your digital afterlife. Being prepared is an important gift for you, your family and other personal representatives.

➡️ Register now for this upcoming session at KCHospice.org/CommunityEducation

⭐️ Check out more estate planning info and free tools at KCHospice.org/Legacy

10/16/2025

Openings are still available for our upcoming grief support group - Navigating Grief.

This 90 minute, single session, workshop offers support, education and coping strategies for grievers at least two months after their loss.

Monday, October 20 from 3 - 4:30 pm - Kansas (location provided after registration)

To register please contact Ann Elbert 913.894.8228

Please note: pre-registration is required for groups, and early registration is encouraged. We reserve the right to cancel groups, or to close groups based upon registration.

10/15/2025

In October, we recognize Pregnancy, Infant and Child Loss Awareness Month and today, October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

This is a time of remembrance for pregnancy loss and infant death, which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, and the death of a newborn.

In the United States, 1 out of every 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage and 1 and every 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth. These numbers do not include infant death from preterm labor, diagnosis of life-limiting conditions, or SIDS.

We would like to recognize this awareness month by sharing resources that you might find helpful if you have experienced this type of loss, and to offer our support and affirmation that you are not alone in your grief.

RTZHOPE.org: Return To Zero: HOPE provides compassionate and holistic support for people who have experienced unimaginable loss during their journey to parenthood.

stillstandingmag.com: Still Standing Magazine is for all who are grieving child loss and infertility.

Remember, Solace House, KCH's Community Center for Grief and Healing, is also here to offer you support during your grief journey. Reach out to us at 913.341.0318.