CANANDAIGUA, NEW YORK – The F.F. Thompson Foundation, Inc. today announced a $4,500 gift from MVP Health Care, in support of the palliative care program at the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center.
With 178 beds, the center serves as UR Medicine’s skilled-nursing facility in Canandaigua and it offers long-term care – including dementia care – and rehabilitation care. The palliative care program was forced to cancel both of its annual fundraising events this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with the loss of revenue for program initiatives aimed at serving end-of-life residents and their families, the foundation approached MVP Health Care for a donation that would enable the continued support of this critical end-of-life care.
“MVP Health Care is a longtime supporter of Thompson Health and served as a corporate sponsor of our annual gala, which most recently helped support our hospital’s new intensive care unit and outpatient clinic,” said Development Specialist, Heather Rickett. “After the gala was canceled, MVP was among the first sponsors to step forward and contribute to Thompson in some way. I told them about the need for funding for the palliative care program at M.M. Ewing, and they readily agreed to fill the gap created by the cancelation of the committee’s annual fundraisers. We are very grateful, but not at all surprised by MVP’s generosity.”
Thompson Health Vice President of Long-Term Care Amy Daly said that during what has proven to be a challenging year “MVP’s tremendous display of generosity is making a significant impact on our residents, families, and staff.”
“The support of the community is humbling as we work diligently to keep our residents safe and provide the best quality of life, including to those receiving end-of-life care,” Daly said.
Palliative Care at M.M. Ewing includes supplying comforting items like quilts and CDs with soothing music and iPads for video chats with long-distance family members. In addition, the program provides families with information about the end-of-life process, a “comfort cart” with snacks and drinks, and special furniture for those who want to remain bedside their loved one during non-COVID times. In addition to addressing other needs, the recent funding from MVP will help purchase additional digital video frames so that residents receiving end-of-life care can enjoy a continuous bedside display of photos and short video messages sent by family and friends via email or an app.
“We are proud to continue supporting the great work being done by the F.F. Thompson Foundation and the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center’s palliative care program,” said Ellen Sax, Vice President of Community Engagement at MVP Health Care. “At MVP, we know firsthand the positive impact great palliative care can have on patients who, now more than ever, need support and comfort. Supporting this program is central to providing quality care, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”