CLARISSA C. COOK newsletterHOSPICE HOUSE ISSUE 14 Bettendorf Bulldog Watches His Final Game In October 2017, after years of “It all happened so quickly declining health, Rich Furne Sr., a loving I didn’t really realize what father and husband and a Bettendorf was going on at first,” said Bulldog lifelong fan, was diagnosed Rich’s wife, Penny. “There with mesothelioma, a cancer usually were very few dry eyes in the located in the lungs, while at Mayo stadium that night. One of our Clinic. On the long and quiet ride grandchildren came up to me home to the Quad Cities that Friday and asked why all the coaches afternoon, the Furne family (Rich Sr., were crying too. “ wife Penny, and adult children Rich Jr., Robbie and Traci) made the decision When Rich got tired, the nurse to admit Mr. Furne to Clarissa Cook and security staff took Rich Hospice House in Bettendorf for the back to the ambulance and limited time he had remaining. the family returned to the hospice house. “Rich was so Quilt Ceremony. When Rich passed Reflecting on his father’s life and what overwhelmed at that point he could away, we were able to select a quilt to brought him the most joy, Rich Jr. hardly talk,” said Penny. “He was just in cover his gurney on the final journey realized that night would be the final awe of everything that had happened from his room to the vehicle waiting home football game for Bettendorf that day and that he was able to go to to take him to the funeral home. Every High School that season and therefore Robbie’s game.” Rich Furne Sr. died a quilt has a story, and we were able to the last game Rich Sr. would be able to week later surrounded by his family in a choose one that had special meaning to see his son Robbie coach. On that same private room. our family,” she continued. car ride home Rich Jr. made a quiet call to Christine Russell, Manager of the “Our experience at Clarissa Christine elaborated on the Quilt Clarissa Cook Hospice House, and it Cook Hospice House made Ceremony. “We have a collection was, quite literally, ‘game on’. Rich’s passing so much more of quilts that have been donated by individuals, families, and quilting clubs, “When Rich Jr. called, we thought it peaceful. We honestly had and keep an album with a history of was an amazing idea and immediately no idea or understanding of each quilt – its history, meaning, even started making phone calls and trying hospice before going through colors and patterns. When a loved one to make this happen for the family. dies, families are given the opportunity We knew this was a special thing and this. We can’t say enough about to ‘borrow’ a quilt for the final journey would involve lots of moving pieces, the staff and support that we from the patient’s room to the vehicle but we barely had to ask the question received. All our questions waiting outside the building. It is very and people said yes. Everyone wanted were answered honestly and important for both the family and the to help,” said Christine. Hospice staff, thoughtfully, and they cared staff here at Clarissa Cook. It is a final family members, security staff, BHS journey. If no family is at the hospice volunteers, and funds donated by the about our family as well as house when a patient dies, we do the Genesis Foundation helped plans come Rich,” said Penny. ceremony as a staff. No one makes that together quickly. “Rich did not want to go to a hospital, final journey alone.” As soon as the family arrived at the or hospice, or anything else. He wanted “We do everything we can to help our hospice house, Rich Sr. was moved to to be at home. The only thing that patients and their families find peace a gurney and taken via ambulance up convinced him to accept the hospice on their end of life journey. It is an the hill to the BHS football stadium. option was a doctor telling him that he honor for us, as a staff, that the families Accompanied by a nurse and security needed to let his family be with him in choose us to be part of it.” staff, Rich Sr., Penny and the family his final days, as opposed to taking care were escorted down to the field to of him. Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House “Clarissa Cook Hospice House is an watch the game. As an added surprise, allowed this to happen in ways that we incredible part of our community, “ said all the JV and Varsity players and couldn’t even imagine.” Penny. “We were so lucky. I wouldn’t coaches, with helmet stickers bearing have done anything differently.” Rich’s initials, came by to shake Rich’s “One of the most meaningful parts of hand and share a few words. our time with Clarissa Cook was the GENESIS FOUNDATION | 1227 EAST RUSHOLME STREET | DAVENPORT, IOWA 52803 Legacy…Your gift to future generations As you consider your legacy, think about those people who have made a difference in your life, or someone you lost too soon. Could memorializing them be your legacy? While you are still living, you can choose what legacy you wish to leave future generations. Then, at the time of your passing, your legacy gift will continue to express and promote the values you held so dear during your lifetime. For more information on leaving your legacy contact Steven R. Goebel, CFRE, Senior Planned Giving Officer at 309.281.4392 or [email protected] newsletter HOSPICE HOUSE HOSPICE CLARISSA C. COOK COOK C. CLARISSA Davenport, Iowa 52803 Iowa Davenport, 1227 East Rusholme Street Rusholme East 1227 Inpatient Palliative Care Program Genesis Philanthropy has Hospice & Palliative Medicine invested funds to support the and the American College of establishment of an inpatient Physicians, he has worked as a palliative care program. clinic internist, Dr. Bruce Chamberlain a hospitalist, (pictured), who is board hospice certified in hospice and medical palliative care, and internal director and medicine, came to Genesis hospice chief on May 1st to lead this medical officer. effort. Dr. Chamberlain He has also did his undergraduate provided training at Brigham Young consulting Medicare Care Choices Program University; he then attended services for hospice agencies the Johns Hopkins Medical and the US Department of Genesis now offers a unique, Medicare grant School, followed by internship Justice on hospice clinical and funded service for patients within their end-of-life and residency training in internal administrative topics. stages but who would like to live at home and medicine at the Walter Reed receive services. This program will improve the Dr. Chamberlain is a popular Army Medical Center. quality of care for Medicare patients, increase speaker and teacher on issues patient satisfaction, and reduce the overall cost of Dr. Chamberlain is a past surrounding end-of-life care. He care. It is the only program of its kind in the Quad member of the American is married, has three children Cities. Academy of Hospice and and two grandchildren. Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) The Medicare Care Choice Model Program allows As a Genesis Philanthropy board of directors, and was physicians to continue to use palliative care and Affiliate, the Genesis Foundation a founding board member of treatments for hospice eligible patients. These will be accepting contributions the National Board of Hospice patients will also receive the supportive benefits for palliative care from grateful Medical Director Certification. offered by hospice. He has worked in hospice and patients and families. palliative care for the past For more information on eligibility 20 years. A fellow of both requirements or to make a referral, the American Academy of please call (563) 421-5400. .