Heartlinks receives grant to boost palliative care program

Aug. 15--SUNNYSIDE -- A grant will help a Yakima Valley nonprofit hospice expand its palliative care program.

Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care will do that with help from a grant by the Yakima Valley Community Foundation. The new funding will support the services of a nurse and a medical social worker, a news release said.

Heartlinks didn't provide the exact amount of the grant, but the foundation offers up to $25,000 for one year of funding through its annual grant program.

Heartlinks' palliative care program offers adults and children assistance with pain and symptom management, emotional support and spiritual care. Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness, such as cancer.

"It's important people throughout our rural communities have access to quality care as close to home as possible," said Sharon Miracle, president and CEO of the community foundation. "This grant award will help ensure compassionate care is available for patient comfort and to reduce the stress on families and loved ones dealing with heart-wrenching situations."

Health and wellness are an area of focus for the foundation, specifically providing health care to the disadvantaged and activities that promote improved health in the community.

"We are deeply grateful to the Yakima Valley Community Foundation for allowing us to increase our capacity to serve the community in this way," said Shelby Moore, executive director for Heartlinks. "This grant will help us care for patients among the most vulnerable residents of Yakima County, those typically without health insurance, which is just beginning to barely cover palliative care."

Heartlinks began serving the area in 1978 as Lower Valley Hospice. To learn more, visit www.heartlinkshospice.org.

Reach Tammy Ayer at tayer@yakimaherald.com or on Facebook.

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