Winter 2020/2021

Dear Friends of Agrace,

Despite all that has challenged us in 2020, Agrace continues to come alongside people in their most difficult times, care for them and fulfill their wishes any way we can.

Although some of our plans for 2020 had to be delayed, we’re doing well. Our hospice patient census remains steady, though lower than planned, due to the pandemic. However, as people are urged to stay at home, we’ve had very strong demand for our senior care service, Age at Home. We’ve kept expenses down and should be able to end the year on solid footing.

The true highlight of 2020 is the impact we have on people’s lives. Here’s an example of why your support matters so much:

Back in June, we collaborated with American Family Children’s Hospital to care for a newborn baby who was on a ventilator. Her parents’ goal was to take her home before she died (which was inevitable). She had a two-year-old brother and a large family who wanted to meet her—and say goodbye. Hospital visitors were severely limited, so getting home was a big focus.

Agrace’s staff arranged for medical equipment to be delivered and an ambulance to transport the baby home. Our nurse and social worker visited the family’s southwestern Wisconsin home to enroll her in hospice care. Shortly after, a respiratory therapist and nurse practitioner from AFCH took the baby off her ventilator and estimated that she would live only about 24 hours more. She showed no distress and was very peaceful.

Amazingly, the baby rallied! A few days later, an Agrace staff member saw her in the community with her mom and dad. She continued to be OK without supplemental oxygen. Agrace pulled back to daily calls, and visited two or three times a week. We even granted a wish through our Foundation for family pictures.

In all, the family got three weeks at home with their baby, much longer than they thought was possible. The day she died was very emotional for everyone, as you might imagine, but those weeks of her being home were very meaningful for her family, and for the Agrace team who supported them.

When things in our world are so troubling, I remember that the entire Agrace team and I am part of something almost magical. I thank my lucky stars every day for this opportunity.

Thank you for supporting Agrace with your time and treasure.

Lynne Sexten
President & CEO

Anne Swanson

Kurt,* a native of Germany, was a hospice inpatient at Agrace last summer when his family noticed his mood was low. They asked Sarah, his social worker, for ideas to brighten his days. Sarah arranged for Christine, a patient menu coordinator, to ask Kurt about traditional German dishes or other favorite foods he would like. From that conversation, Chef Anne made Bratkartoffeln (German cottage potatoes) and other side dishes for Kurt to try.

“One of our Kitchen Team’s mission principles is that our patients be able to enjoy the foods they feel comforted by,” says Anne Swanson, executive chef. “It can be very powerful to have what you want when so much has been taken away, so we say ‘Yes! What would you like?’. It is often surprising to hear what they are thinking about: a chocolate malt, warm pie or even Froot Loops! How simple this gift is—it is why we are here. It feeds us!”

*Name changed for privacy.

This year has been anything but predictable, and in these strange times the impact of your support has become very clear. Your gifts to Agrace have helped us:

• keep our patients and their families safer during the pandemic;
• ensure all in our community can access quality end-of-life care, even if they cannot pay; and
• care for those in our community grieving the loss of a loved one, through both virtual and in-person grief support.
• You are an important part of what we do. We appreciate you during this unique holiday season and always.

Thank you for your support!

Virtual Events Find Real Success, Thanks to You!

If you joined an Agrace special event this year, you raised crucial funds for programs such as Care for All, community grief support and the Wish Program. Shortly after our Sips & Sounds event on Leap Day, COVID-19 hit, and uncertainties grew by the day. We quickly shifted some of our events to virtual formats.   

	Race for Agrace participants received a race kit and completed their own course on their own time and pace. We appreciate their loyalty to this event, which raised more than $30,000!
	Butterfly Gala also pivoted to virtual as “A Stay-at-Home Soiree.” There was an online auction, video program and a Butterfly Box for attendees, filled with prosecco, sweets and treats. More than $81,000 was raised.

Thank you to everyone near and far who took part in these virtual events and our successful (and physically distanced) 2020 golf outings. We look forward to the days when we can safely resume all our events in person!

Sips & Sounds Moves to Spring with New Venue

Mark your calendars now for May 14, for Agrace’s popular wine and beer tasting event, Sips & Sounds 2021. We’re moving it to spring and to Glen Erin Golf Celtic House in Janesville. A relaxing evening of live music and delicious food and spirits awaits you!