Covenant Hospice Press Release:

Tallahassee, FL -

In celebration of National Hospice Month, Covenant Hospice and Tallahassee Nurseries will be holding a Tree Planting and Dedication Celebration at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20 at Lee’s Place, a Grief and Loss Counseling Center, located at 216 Lake Ella Dr. Government officials will be on hand to read the official proclamation from the Mayor recognizing the month of November as National Hospice Month.

The tree, donated by Tallahassee Nurseries, will be planted in honor and in memory of the over 175 Covenant Hospice patients served in the Tallahassee area thus far in 2009 by the not-for-profit organization.

This local tree planting is part of a broader national campaign launched by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) reminding people that hospice is not about how you die, but how you live. There will be a range of activities across the country throughout November focusing on living as fully as possible up until the end of life.

“One of the most frequent comments we hear from family caregivers is that they wished they had known about hospice care sooner,” commented Dale O. Knee, President and CEO of Covenant Hospice. “Many were simply unaware of hospice as a possible option, but the focus on pain and symptom control in addition to the emotional, social and spiritual support enable patients and families to make the most of every day.”

Covenant Hospice and Tallahassee Nurseries hope that by planting this tree, it will grow roots of awareness in the local community of the compassionate care that hospice provides and the peace that hospice brings. The tree will also serves as a living reminder that that all people have the right to live with dignity and respect, even to the last moment of life.

For more information about the Tree Planting and Dedication Celebration or National Hospice Month, contact Covenant Hospice at 850-575-4998 or visit www.covenanthospice.org.

Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses.