Wish Program

Inspired by the story of Agrace patient Ed Struve, long-time volunteer Susan Richardson and her husband, Matt, have partnered with Agrace to create the Wish Program. It’s a way for community donors, staff and volunteers to work together to grant patients’ end-of-life wishes. Through this program, Agrace seeks to grant patient’s wishes by providing monetary support and logistical coordination.

Who is eligible for the program?

All Agrace hospice patients who are unable to fulfill their end-of-life wishes without monetary and/or logistical assistance from the Wish Program are eligible.

Patient wishes vary, but a wish can be something a patient has not been able to attain during his or her lifetime and always wanted to, something that he or she cannot afford or simply a final desire.

The fulfillment of wishes is not funded by Medicare, Medicaid or general donations to Agrace. The program relies on the generosity of a group of private donors, and the availability of in-kind goods and/or services.

Donate Online

Or you can write a check to Agrace and mail to Agrace, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.

Be sure to note “Wish Program” in the memo line on your check or in the comments section of the online form.

For more information about the Wish Program, please contact Donor Services at (608) 327-7209.

Wish Gallery

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A music lover, Glenn was able to live his dream of being on stage. Even though he had Down syndrome and rarely spoke at all, Glenn grabbed the mike and “sang” for more than an hour with a jazz band.

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Kathy Jo's prized sewing machine had broken and she was unable to finish two quilts for her twin great-grandchildren. The Wish program paid for this repair, and Kathy Jo was able to complete these special quilts.

3/6

Ed Struve, an Agrace patient at Legacy Gardens, mentioned that before he died, he wished he could spend time with a horse. Ed had grown up on a ranch and had been around horses most of his life. Through the combined efforts of his Agrace care team, Legacy Gardens Administrator Rich Eggers, Kari Sasso of the UW–Madison Police Department and her horse, Vegas, Ed got his wish two days later. It was quite a sight to see the frail but happy man and the gentle horse together. Ed died the next day, his dream fulfilled.

4/6

Don, an Agrace patient, mentioned to his team that he had tickets to a Maggie Mae concert and was sad he couldn’t go, due to his health. Maggie Mae is a well-known, Wisconsin-based country musician who was scheduled to perform in Wisconsin Dells that weekend. Agrace Foundation staff reached out to Maggie Mae directly. She agreed to take time out of her tour and travel to see Don at his bedside the next afternoon!

5/6

We sent a young couple we served at their home in Rio, Wisconsin, on a “date night” at their favorite restaurant in Wisconsin Dells area. The patient had mentioned to his Agrace caregiver that he would like one night alone with his wife which they hadn’t had in a long time due to his illness. We secured a limo as their transportation that was given to us at cost and got flowers donated for the patient’s wife. While on their way to dinner the patient asked the limo to stop by his mom’s house to show her. After dinner they took the limo through the Dairy Queen drive- through. The young patient died only a couple of weeks after his special night out with his wife.

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Life and health circumstances didn’t allow Adeline to travel, so her hospice team brought Hawaii to her, including an authentic lei.