Dad’s end stage emphysema had his life confined to an easy chair, oxygen, and struggling steps to the bathroom. Steroids, inhalers, and anti-anxiety medications were part of his daily routine. Complementary Therapies were also used, offering him great comfort, care, and relief of his symptoms. Healing Touch, therapeutic essential oils, and massage were some of the things that Dad loved and felt much better from afterwards. The nine months of hospice that Dad received from Samaritan Hospice offered a caring environment in our home and an acceptance of our beliefs and practices of natural ways to comfort, care, and pain relief. When Dad reached the acceptance phase of his destiny he said to me about his impending death, “This is the way it should be Marilee !! Tell the world about this!” Dad left us with a smile on his face and peace in his heart. I chose to carry out his request. He inspired me to create Peaceful Passages™ and the Scholarship Fund.

Two years after Dad’s passing Mom entered into Samaritan’s Home Hospice program for the final portion of her life as she weakened in her fight with kidney cancer. Once again we were fortunate to be able to integrate holistic therapies with the palliative care and pain management techniques provided by Samaritan Hospice. Mom, the originator of these holistic therapies in our home, always provided her family and friends with the most prevailing healing force of all – the power of love. She was blessed to be the recipient of this wonderful integration of care, and receive back much of the love that she offered to others.

The M.J. Tolen Scholarship Fund has been set up in honor of my parents whose peaceful deaths demonstrated for us what is possible in this transitional stage of life, given the proper conditions. The intention of this fund is to proliferate the education of these wonderful opportunities that we can access in our own hands – Complementary Therapies.

More stories like these are available in the booklet, Peaceful Passages: Shared Experiences of Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care for a $ 10 donation (plus S & H). Over 65 stories from people and practitioners all over the country share how they have used Compementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care with clients and loved ones suffering from end stages of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other life-ending conditions. All proceeds go to the Fund.

About M.J. Tolen Scholarships:
Scholarships are available for students interested in advancing the use of Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care (CTEOLC). Scholarships are based on specific eligibility requirements.

Eligibility
Licensed Health Care Professionals, Allied Health Care Professionals, Healing Arts Practitioners, Certified Nurses Aides, Certified Home Health Aides, Spiritual Care Providers, Volunteers, and family caregivers of people facing serious progressive illnesses.

Requirements For Application
A desire to offer knowledge based complementary care measures to individuals facing End-of-Life issues.
Scholarship Funds Are

Granted Based On:
1. Applicant demonstrating a sincere interest in Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care (CTEOLC)
2. Applicant having an intention for this course of study to:
..........a. Spread CTEOLC into the community
..........b. Further the education of others in CTEOLC
3. Approval of application by committee review

How To Support The M.J. Tolen Scholarship Fund
Samaritan Hospice welcomes all donations to support this special fund from anyone who is interested in Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care education. Donations can be made in memory or honor of someone special. All gifts will be acknowledged and families notified at the donor’s request.

For more information or to make a donation, please call the Samaritan Hospice Development Department at 1-800-229-8183 or 1-856-596-1600 or visit www.samaritanhospice.org