Treasured Volunteer Creates Legacy at SCHF

Vana Surmanian’s journey with SCHF began in 2014 when she met Michelle Wulfestieg through a mutual friend. At the time, she had no personal experience with hospice. Intrigued by Michelle’s passion for the cause (and life in general!), Vana took a chance and joined the SCHF Wine Soiree volunteer committee. With a deep-rooted need to give back, Vana has volunteered many hours with various charitable organizations, and was looking forward to a new challenge.

It was not long after joining the committee that Vana’s father became ill with Alzheimer’s disease and began hospice care. With her father living in Colorado and Vana in California, she came to rely heavily on his hospice advocates to provide the care and comfort he needed while in assisted living. It was during this time she witnessed the incredible kindness shown to her father and finally understood the impact and importance of hospice care for those at the end of their life.

Four years later, Vana is one of SCHF’s most treasured volunteers.

When asked what impact she hopes to make as a volunteer, she answers, “I hope to help people die with dignity and to let them know we are not afraid of them.”

It’s true that people tend to be fearful of death and that fear causes many terminally ill people, in turn, to be treated poorly. Vana hopes that by volunteering with SCHF she can show patients and their families that not everyone is afraid of death.

Vana shares that, very simply, the relationships have kept her going during the four years. The special bonds she forms with patients, their families, other volunteers and SCHF staff are priceless—she learns something new from those around her every single day.

Vana, now president of the Helping Hands Hospice Guild, is more motivated than ever to see the Guild be successful. She knows what a significant impact her efforts will have on the Heavenly Home project, a desperately needed alternative to end-of-life institutional care in Orange County that will provide quality care regardless of people’s ability to pay.

While Vana is very active now, she began to wonder how she could sustain her efforts when she is no longer physically here to volunteer her time. With her husband, she decided to leave a future gift for the Foundation by donating a percentage of their personal estate. There was no doubt in her mind that SCHF is deserving of such a personal gift and a beautiful way to achieve her philanthropic goals for many years to come.

Due to the stigma surrounding terminally ill patients, So Cal Hospice Foundation often faces challenges finding committed, long-term volunteers and so Vana continues to work tirelessly educating the community on hospice care.

It is gifts such as Vana’s that allow the incredible work of SCHF to continue by ensuring future funding and security. In addition to potential tax benefits, planned giving is a meaningful way individuals and families can leave a legacy and fulfill personal wishes. Contact Michelle Wulfestieg at michelle@socalhospicefoundation.org or 877-661-0087 to learn more.