After 20 years at Natividad Medical Center, Dr. Marc Tunzi has gone to many funerals, had many conversations, and continues to help his patients answer the question, “What is a good death for you?”. A smart kid of Swiss- Italian parents, born at SVMH and raised in Spreckels, he describes going to med school as a series of “happy accidents.” Since science came easily to him, medical school seemed a natural fit. Dr. Tunzi
Most of us think of end-of-life care just for the patient. This story reminds us that the care and planning is for the entire family. My mom was one of those down-to-earth, farmer women from Arizona. She was pragmatic and feisty, yet possessed a very special kind of optimism and hope. She believed in solutions, even little miracles, and her life experiences supported those beliefs. She had a charming, private way of finding inspiration.
The formation of Hospice Giving Foundation was a visionary move. The leadership believed that by raising funds and awarding grants to many different agencies, patients and families would have greater access to compassionate and dignified care at end-of-life. They also believed that it was equally important to help people understand their options and have access to care. The generous community that has financially supported Hospice Giving Foundation made this possible. Alice Kinsler, the
Hospice care, as we know it, was started in England by Dame Cecily Saunders. In the early to mid-1970s the movement found its way to America and some forward-thinking people in Monterey took the lead to make end-of-life care available locally. It was 1976. Two cancer patients found comfort by meeting weekly to talk about their cancer journey. Others joined and the group grew. Around the same time, Dr. Jerry Rubin of Monterey and
Hospice Giving Foundation for those who live as well as for those who are dying It was about 4.5 years ago sitting in my busy office at a Child Advocacy program when I got the call. “There is a job you need to take.” My friend and sometimes mentor didn’t know how swamped I was at work. I told her I was too busy to apply for or think about another job, plus I
By the traditional measures of generosity, Brian Kelly, our founding board chair and one of our strongest supporters, is generous indeed. Brian could hardly be more generous with both his time and his financial support. Still, he offers more: he has a rare gift for bringing comfort to others, as we found when we sat down with him recently. When Brian talks about the end of life and the importance of compassionate care, he
Dear Friends, July 2017 marks the 20th Anniversary of Hospice Giving Foundation; making this a good time to reflect on this Foundation’s history. Over 20 years ago the leaders of a small, local hospice provider had a vision to broaden its reach into end of life care and create a foundation exclusively devoted to funding end of life care and services in our community. The establishment of this independent entity, now known as
