Sharon Whitaker has experienced palliative care at Mercy Health — Marcum and Wallace Hospital many times over the years. She was there for her mother’s final days as well as those of her mother-in-law and father-in-law. Each time, she saw the compassion, comfort and support that palliative care provides to patients and the families who love them. Your gift will help future families experience the same. 

“The staff became like family,” Sharon says. “They cared for us just as much as they cared for our loved ones.” 

Sharon’s first experience with palliative care came when her mother became critically ill. She chose comfort-focused care at the end of her life. Working closely with Sharon’s family, the care team honored her mother’s wishes. They also offered comfort, guidance and genuine compassion to help navigate one of life’s most difficult journeys. 

“They weren’t just caring for a patient,” she says. “They were caring for an entire family.”

Sharon is grateful for the exceptional are her loved ones received. But she also believes a dedicated palliative care facility would improve the experience even more. While Marcum and Wallace is a wonderful hospital, no hospital is optimized for palliative care. Your support will help Mercy Health expand end-of-life care in a setting more conducive to the needs of patients and families. 

“Supporting palliative care is about giving families peace during some of their hardest moments,” Sharon says. “It allows families to focus on what matters most: Being present with the people they love.”