Vermont Business Magazine When Rose Lucenti’s mother, Barbara Greenslit, unexpectedly needed end of life care last May, Barbara chose Gifford Health Care’s main campus to spend her remaining days.
“She insisted on coming to Gifford,” Lucenti said. “Because she preferred the care she received.”
Just as Barbara was settling into her room, the staff at Gifford was arranging for Rose’s sister to fly in from Arizona to be with her mother. It’s one example of how Gifford’s annual fundraiser, Last Mile, supports families and their loved ones going through this stressful time.
“None of this would have been able to happen without the Last Mile, the sponsors and the amount of money donated and raised every year at this event,” Lucenti said.
In its 16th year, the Last Mile has raised more than $1 million for end of life care. This year’s event will take place over two weekends:
-A bike ride on Saturday, August 14th at 8:30 a.m.
-A 5k run and 1 or 2.5 mile walk on Friday, August 20th at 4:30 p.m.
-An 80-mile motorcycle ride on Saturday, August 21 at 8:30 a.m.
“We are so happy to be able to back together in-person for this year’s event,” Gifford Vice President of Development and Public Relations, Ashley Lincoln said. “The efforts of everyone involved in this event has an incredible impact on people’s lives during a very difficult time.”
Including Rose Lucenti, whose mother was able to be with both of her daughters in those final moments.
“What a fabulous gem this is in Randolph,” Lucenti said. “It was beyond anything I would have ever imagined that this program does for people.”
To hear Rose’s story and others who have benefited from Last Mile Ride, click here.
To register, participate or donate to Last Mile, go to www.LastMileRide.com. You can also purchase 50/50 raffle tickets for $100 (a limited amount of tickets are available) and a handmade quilt will also be raffled off. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.
Reminder during COVID-19: All Gifford clinics are open. It is vital that we continue to provide care and treat members of our community so that medical conditions do not escalate. If a patient does not have a mask upon arrival for an appointment, Gifford will provide one. For more information about COVID-19 and answers to frequently asked questions, visit giffordhealthcare.org/coronavirus-covid-19, cdc.gov or healthvermont.gov.
Gifford is a community hospital in Randolph, Vt., with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Randolph and Rochester, and specialty services throughout central Vermont. A Federally Qualified Health Center and a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, Gifford is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department and inpatient unit; many surgical services; an adult day program; 49-unit independent living facility, and nursing home. The hospital’s mission is to improve individuals’ and community health by providing and assuring access to affordable, high-quality health care in Gifford’s service area.