Foundation gives wishes to terminally ill

Community Health Professionals information

Everyone has different wishes or dreams of things they hope to do during their lifetime. For some it may be taking a family vacation or visiting a loved one that has moved away.

Many people put off their wishes and dreams until the future. But for those diagnosed with a terminal illness their future is now. Dreams and wishes are tucked deep underneath the pain and suffering of everyday life. Living with a life-limiting illness often drains financial and emotional resources causing more strain on families as they struggle with the daily battle of their illness.

The Angel Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Van Wert dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill adults living in Ohio.

Affiliated with Community Health Professionals Hospice, The Angel Foundation was established in 1995 to address unfulfilled dreams of hospice patients. Today, this privately funded charity facilitates about 15 wishes per year for individuals both locally and throughout the state.

Many wishes involve a terminally ill parent that wants to create a lasting happy memory for their children to have once they have passed from this earth.

Jacqueline Libecap, 69, of Huber Heights had always enjoyed going out with her husband for a steak dinner on Saturday nights. Even after he passed away 15 years ago, Libecap continued their tradition by taking herself out for a steak dinner on Saturdays as a way to remember.

Shortly after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, Libecap was no longer able to get out of her house. During a visit from her hospice social worker, Libecap expressed a wish to have a steak dinner with her daughters.

The social worker contacted The Angel Foundation, which made arrangements to have a gourmet steak dinner delivered to Libecap’s home for her and her daughters to enjoy on a Saturday night. In addition, a local florist donated an arrangement in honor of the special day.

“My girls were so happy for the gift you provided for us,” Libecap said. “We didn’t have to be in Las Vegas, Miami or another country to make our wish happen. It happened in my home around a table of delightful food. We felt like queens!”

Another wish granted by The Angel Foundation this year included a husband and wife getaway and a comedy show.

Sandra Pfab, 61, of Wauseon, was battling lung cancer and wanted a honeymoon getaway that she and husband never had. The Angel Foundation arranged for a couple of nights for them in Toledo.

At the hotel, Pfab was able to take a real shower in the room’s walk-in shower and enjoyed sleeping in a regular bed instead of a hospital bed for the first time in a while.

The couple enjoyed a lobster dinner donated by a local restaurant and, afterward, they were treated to a show featuring comedian Heywood Banks with tickets donated by the comedy club.

“Harry and I had a wonderful time,” Pfab said. “Other than the not walking thing, I almost forgot I am dying of cancer. You made this dying old lady feel very special and very happy.”

According to Deb Tracey, wish coordinator, The Angel Foundation receives no federal or state funding, and relies solely on individual and in-kind donations.

“We are just a small, rural nonprofit,” said Tracey, “but with the support of our dedicated community, we continue to do the important work of providing comfort and closure during the end-of-life journey.”

A report on all the wishes completed by The Angel Foundation in 2014 can be found at the organization’s website: www.theangelfoundation.net.

For more information or to make a donation, call 419.238.6726.