The Giving List Hospice of Santa Barbara

by Steven Libowitz

Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) 11th annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon –back in person for a second year following two virtual events during the pandemic year – has a new location of the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel just steps from the ocean for the September 10 event that serves as both a celebration of the nonprofit’s work and a fundraiser for its continuing efforts to bring programs and services, completely free of charge, to adults, children, and seniors who are struggling with life-threatening illness or grief.

Since 1974, Hospice of Santa Barbara has been providing such compassionate care and support to those impacted with serious illnesses and their families and loved ones in our community. Despite its status as the second oldest hospice program in the United States, HSB continues to build on its distinguished history by upgrading and refining its services, which are unique to the community as the only non-medical model organization.

The medical hospices – which are paid for through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurances – provide care only when a prognosis of six months or less is given and the patient has chosen to discontinue curative treatment with the hospice focusing on relieving physical pain associated with end of life. As a volunteer hospice, HSB can serve anyone regardless of the diagnosis, treatment choices, or life-expectancy and offer services to address the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual suffering of those impacted by serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one.

“We work with all the medical organizations, but we do all the kind of surrounding work that’s impacting the patient and their family,” explained Charlie Caldwell, HSB’s Director of Strategic Advancement. “We can start seeing people as soon as they get their diagnosis without regard to whether they’re trying to fight it and get better.

We can walk with them throughout the whole journey, helping to coordinate all their activities. We have 100 volunteers who can step in and do whatever’s needed, from grocery shopping for the family, walking the dogs, and cleaning up around the house, because the patient who might be going through chemo isn’t able to. They can help the family figure out their financial situation or navigate insurance and help out with transportation, whatever that family needs.”

The Heroes of Hospice luncheon – which features speakers, music, food, and drinks – was created to honor the volunteers, employees, board members, and other organizations that bring compassion and care to those in need in and near the Santa Barbara community. With demand for HSB’s services growing in recent years, the fundraiser helps to allow the organization to maintain its programs. The Giving List Page