July Newsletter 2025 - Hospice of the Valleys

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Notes from Friends Hospice of the Valleys serves hundreds of patients every year. We honor them by sharing their stories. They remind us every day of the meaning and purpose of our work and that human connection is at the heart of the hospice experience. The following are notes Hospice of the Valleys has received from the families of patients that we have been privileged to provide hospice care. "Dear Laura, the sound of your laughter always gave my mother joy. Thank you for your kind and gentle way with her." Words cannot express our gratitude for walking with us through such a difficult time. The love and care that was shown to my mom was so greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Dr. Cochrane, Melissa, Danya, Fred, Mike and Cheryl."

Celebrate the Heart of Volunteering Become a Hospice Volunteer Hospice is about family and community... And volunteers bring heart to hospice. Our team always had the need for volunteers in patient support, music, veteran to veteran support, fundraising, administrative support and more. Hold a Hand-Give a Hug-Touch a Heart. Becoming a hospice volunteers is a meaningful and rewarding experience. You can make a difference! *Seeking bi-lingual volunteers for patient support and music* Hospice of the Valleys: Canyon Lake, Fallbrook, Hemet, Homeland, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Nuevo, Perris, Quail Valley, Romoland, San Jacinto, Sun City, Temecula, Wildomar, Winchester Please contact Chrisy Lawless, Volunteer Manager 951-200-7800 or CLawless@hovsc.org for more information. You may also refer to our website page HospiceoftheValleys.org for new training updates.

Seeking Fundraising Volunteers - You can make a difference - Outgoing and Self-Motivated - Detail-Oriented and Good organization skills - Ability to Interact Positively with Guests and a Team. If this sounds like you, we'd love to talk with you about how you can help! Please contact: Chrisy Lawless 951-200-7800 | CLawless@Hovsc.org

Please remember Hospice of the Valleys in your trust or will. And, help us now with your kind donation. DONATE to Hospice of the Valleys Hospice of the Valleys is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Hospice of the Valleys complies with applicable Federal and civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Atención: si habla espanol, Tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingufstica. Llame al 1-951-200-7800 (TDD: 711). 注意:如果您使用繁體中文, 您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-951-200-7800 (TDD: 711).

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Volunteer Corner Thank you to our incredible Hospice of the Valleys Volunteers for their dedication & kindness!

Here Comes the Sun! Your Health Matters Leslee B. Cochrane, MD. Executive Medical Director Summer has arrived and with it comes opportunities for fun in the sun! While enjoying time outdoors, one must take precautions against excessive sun exposure due to the adverse effects of ultra violet radiation, also known as "UV" exposure. July is UV Safety Month and a good time to discuss the risks of excessive UV exposure. The adverse effects of UV radiation are cumulative over your lifetime and can lead to sunburn, premature aging of the skin and increased risk of developing other conditions such as cataracts and skin cancers including melanoma. Excessive sun exposure is the number one risk of all skin cancers. In the United States there are over 5 million people treated with skin cancer each year, making skin cancer the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and there are more than 100,000 new cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed each year. Three Myths about UV Exposure: Myth: I don't need to worry about UV exposure if I am wearing sun screen. Truth: Sunscreens help to protect your skin from UV exposure, but they are only a part of an adequate protection strategy. In addition to a good quality waterproof sun screen, you should also utilize shade, hats, UV protective sun glasses and UV protective clothing for additional protection. Truth: Myth: I don't need to worry about UV exposure if it is cloudy outside. About 80% of the harmful UV rays penetrate through the clouds and are reflected off of water, sand and pavement meaning that you will still need adequate UV protection even on cloudy days. Myth: People with dark colored skin don't need to worry about UV exposure. Truth: Although people with dark skin are less likely to develop skin cancer than people with light colored skin, they are still at risk and when they do develop skin cancer it may be more dangerous as it may be more difficult to detect. 5 Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun: Tip 1: Check the UV Index Use your smartphone to check a weather app before heading outdoors and take a look at the UV index. The UV index is a number rating the UV intensity from 1 to 11. During the summer months, you should avoid direct sun exposure between the hours of 10 am - 4 pm or any time that the UV index is above 6 on the 1-11 scale. Tip 2: Prioritize Eye Protection UV exposure can lead to keratitis (sun-burn of the eye), cataracts and age related macular degeneration. Make sure you wear sun glasses with full UV protection. Tip 3: Slap on the Sunscreen Select a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or above which blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays. Use a water-resistant sunscreen if you will be in the pool and be sure to apply it 20 minutes before sun exposure and then re-apply every 2 hours while you remain in the sun. Tip 4: Dress for Sun Success Select a hat with a broad brim and neck protection and wear loose fitting sun protective clothing while outdoors. Tip 5: Hydrate or Die-drate Find shade or bring it with you in the form of an umbrella. Remember to stay well hydrated when outdoors which will help your body stay cool and prevent heat related injuries such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. By observing these safety tips you can safely enjoy lots of fun in the sun this summer!

Confident Humility Mike Patton Bereavement Counselor/Spiritual Care An image has become very personal for me over my many years of pastoral service. I wish I could say it came from one of the Masters, but it came from Gary Larson's Far Side catalog. The image is of a man, pushing a wheelbarrow while working in the flames of hell. He appears to be quite content, pushing a load of coal through the flames, whistling while he works. The demon overseers provide the commentary, "You know, we're just not reaching that guy." It has become a self-effacing joke that I have told from the pulpit and in front of crowds, whenever it seems appropriate. I share it here to offer a perspective on confident humility. While I poke fun at myself for the "zippity-doo-dah" approach I often take in the midst of challenging circumstances, it is the idea of contentment that best describes my heart and devotion to the work to which I've been called. We are not all called to sit with dying people and their families, finding ways to support each one as they face the end of life concerns, challenges and decisions. The work I get to do as a chaplain and bereavement counselor give me reason to whistle a happy tune every day, and I know that this work is not for everyone. Nevertheless, we all live in community with one another in a world that often seems to be run by... demons! Confidence comes from a heart set and mind fixed on a mission. Our mission at Hospice of the Valleys speaks loudly to my heart, "We foster reverence for life, relief of suffering, and compassion in loss for the terminally ill residents and their families in the communities we serve." From the day I began my service as a chaplain in this organization, my heart aligns with this mission. Everyone I work with has the same mission. Humility is an honest assessment of gifts and abilities, strengths and weaknesses, accepting both responsibility for and limitations to ones involvement in the mission. Obviously, chaplains do not offer medical advice, that would be tragic! However, when I am working in my lane of responsibility, I provide the best care I know how to give, and believe that it contributes to the well-being of the patients and families we serve. I hope that your "image" comes from something other than a Far Side comic. But I also hope that you have what I have in terms of confident humility to serve with joy and contentment in whatever mission you're called to, under whatever circumstances you find yourself. Grab your wheelbarrow... and let's go!

Hiring Nurses We're hiring Nurses! If you're looking for a career that is as rewarding professional as it is personally, look no further. We offer positions for nurses who will have 24/8 access to a medical director with only a 12-patient caseload. Providing an excellent work/life balance, Hospice of the Valleys is a 5-star hospice and the recipient of the Inland Empire Top Workplace from 2014-2023.

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