Hospice News

Highlights from October Tails 2010

Verona Residents Garners Highest Donations for Hospice Patients

West Orange, NJ – Verona Resident Denise Bastanza, pictured above (left) with her dogs, Faith and Sarah, and Lorraine Sciara, Executive Director of the Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center (BHHPCC), was the top fundraiser at the BHHPCC’s third annual October Tails Halloween-themed dog walk held on Sunday, October 24, at Verona Park.  Ms. Bastanza raised more than $1,000 to benefit Paws for Patients, the BHHPCC’s canine therapy program for patients and families.

Paws for Patients is fully funded by the generosity of donors.  Volunteers and their dogs are needed to help build the program.  Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer and having their dog assessed for Paws for Patients, or in making a donation to the program, should call 973-322-4866 or email sballas@barnabashealth.org.

Established in 1981, the BHHPCC, located at 95 Old Short Hills Road in West Orange, provides comprehensive care for patients with advanced illness, and their families, throughout ten counties in the State of New Jersey.  It supports inpatient units at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ, as well as Van Dyke Hospice at Community Medical Center in Toms River.  It also provides home care and services for individuals in long-term care and assisted living facilities.

For more information about the Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, please call 973-322-4800 or visit www.barnabashealthhospice.org.

Livingston and Verona Students Earn Art Contest Awards

Pictured here (front, left to right) are Brittaney Gui, Livingston, who’s poster was named “Most Original”; Adam Vaynerman, Livingston, named “Funniest”; Michael Chyr, Livingston, named “Most Original”; and Cole Smith, Verona, named “Best in Show” for the second consecutive year. Back, left to right, are Q104.3FM DJ and Honorary October Tails’ Emcee, Maria Milito, and Lorraine Sciara, Executive Director, BHHPCC.  

Essex County, NJ - Students from Livingston and Verona recently wowed judges with sketches of dogs and puppies at the third annual Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center (BHHPCC) October Tails Halloween-themed dog walk and costume contest. The event was held Sunday, October 24, in Verona Park. All proceeds from October Tails, sponsored this year by Animal Emergency and Referral Associates in Fairfield and the Animal Eye Center of New Jersey in Little Falls, benefit the BHHPCC’s Paws for Patients canine therapy program for patients and families.

The students’ artwork was chosen out of all the contest entries which encouraged local elementary school students, grades K-6, to submit a poster depicting a real or imaginary dog or puppy. 

Paws for Patients is fully funded by the generosity of donors.  Volunteers and their dogs are needed to help build the program. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer and having their dog assessed for Paws for Patients, or in making a donation to the program, should call 973-322-4866 or email sballas@barnabashealth.org.

In addition to AERA, the following individuals/organizations also sponsored October Tails: Gittelman and Company, PC, Certified Public Accountants and Management Consultants, Clifton; Audrey Leigh Nevins and Stuart Schepps, dSGN Interior Design, Cedar Grove; Constance Sumas; Evercare Veterinary Crematory Services – a state-of-the art, green aftercare facility, Pennsylvania; MoFiddles®, Livingston; and Wachovia.

Established in 1981, the BHHPCC, located at 95 Old Short Hills Road in West Orange, provides comprehensive care for patients with advanced illness, and their families, throughout ten counties in the State of New Jersey.  It supports inpatient units at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ, as well as Van Dyke Hospice at Community Medical Center in Toms River.  It also provides home care and services for individuals in long-term care and assisted living facilities.

For more information about the BHHPCC or October Tails event, please visit www.barnabashealthhospice.org.

A Day for Dogs Benefits Hospice Patients

Pictured above are costume contest judges (left to right) Teena Schwartz, Mayor of Verona; Lauren Chrust and her Chihuahua/Pug mix, “Jack the Chug”, MVP of the 2010 Animal Planet Puppy Bowl; Maria Milito; Scott Martens, DVM, Evercare Veterinary Crematory Services; and Courtney Hanley, AERA. Costume winners were chosen in four categories - Most Original, Funniest, Most Heartwarming and Best in Show – and received a special “doggie” bag and certificate.

WEST ORANGE, NJ -   A warm autumn day and the bright colors of fall foliage were the backdrop in Verona Park on Sunday, October 24, for the Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center’s (BHHPCC) third annual October Tails Halloween-themed dog walk fundraiser, sponsored this year by Animal Emergency and Referral Associates (AERA) in Fairfield and the Animal Eye Center of New Jersey in Little Falls.

Honorary Emcee Maria Milito, of Q104.3 FM, led several hundred costume-clad canines and their owners through a “pet-tacular” day which featured a Halloween costume contest for dogs; children’s activities; a pet caricaturist; face painting; a agility and obedience demonstrations; a elementary school student poster contest; and American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen® testing administered by Barbara Nagy, Founder, Patience Unlimited Professional Dog Training, LLC.

Proceeds from October Tails benefit Paws for Patients, a canine therapy program for hospice patients and families that is fully funded by the generosity of donors.

“The therapeutic use of dogs in health care has been proven to help orient patients, especially those with dementia, to the present moment,” explained Lorraine Sciara, Executive Director of the BHHPCC, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System.  “Dogs increase relaxation, reduce feelings of isolation and even lower blood pressure.”

“We thank Maria Milito; AERA; and all of the attendees, donors and volunteers who support October Tails,” added Ms. Sciara.  “Saint Barnabas Hospice always looks for ways to enhance the experience for patients and families who receive its services.  We truly believe Paws for Patients will make a tremendous impact.”

Volunteers and their dogs are needed to help establish Paws for Patients.  Individuals interested in becoming a volunteer and having their dog assessed for the program, or in making a donation, are encouraged to call 973-322-4866 or email sballas@barnabashealth.org.

In addition to AERA, the following individuals/organizations made special contributions to October Tails: Gittelman and Company, PC, Certified Public Accountants and Management Consultants, Clifton; Audrey Leigh Nevins and Stuart Schepps, dSGN Interior Design, Cedar Grove; Constance Sumas; Evercare Veterinary Crematory Services; MoFiddles®, Livingston; and Wachovia.

Established in 1981, the BHHPCC, located at 95 Old Short Hills Road in West Orange, provides comprehensive care for patients with advanced illness, and their families, throughout ten counties in the State of New Jersey.  It supports inpatient units at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ, as well as Van Dyke Hospice at Community Medical Center in Toms River.  It also provides home care and services for individuals in long-term care and assisted living facilities.

For more information about the Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center or October Tails, please visit www.barnabashealthhospice.org.

Date: October, 2010

Contact: Public Relations, 973-322-4924

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