VNA and Hospice of Southern California's Annual Celebration of Life event Saturday

The Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Southern California's annual Celebration of Life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 869 N. Euclid Ave. in Upland. 

This event offers the families and staff of VNA Hospice an opportunity to memorialize those lost over the past year.

"We at the VNA are honored to serve our community with the compassion and dignity deserved by all during the final stages of life.  It is important that we celebrate the lives of our patients with their loved ones," said Marsha Fox, President/CEO of VNA and Hospice of Southern California in a news release.  

"Our Celebration of Life is heartfelt by all in attendance, allowing us to reflect on those we have lost and ultimately celebrate the lives that have touched us" said Betsy deBos, Bereavement Coordinator for the VNA and Hospice of Southern California in a news release.

VNA and Hospice of Southern California maintains the tradition of holding its annual Celebration of Life on the first Saturday in November as it acknowledges and honors November as National Hospice Month.  

The agency dedicates the month to the hospice staff who selflessly give themselves and their clinical expertise to those who are in the final stages of life.

Families and friends invited to the Celebration of Life memorial are encouraged to bring a picture, memento or flowers in celebration of their loved one's life.  These are placed in the front of the sanctuary for all to share during the service.  

Marsha Fox will address those in attendance with a memorial service and Dr. Timothy Dauwalder, Medical Director, will be the guest speaker.  

In addition, a few hospice families will discuss their hospice "journey" along with the reading of inspiring poems by the staff.   

Following the memorial service refreshments are served in the fellowship hall where staff and families reunite and share stories about their hospice experience.  

The VNA and Hospice of Southern California is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Hospice and Home Care Agency that has been providing services to the community since 1952.  The agency provides comprehensive hospice care through a team of professionals and volunteers to terminally ill patients and their families. 

The agency has two office locations, Claremont and San Bernardino.  Their service area includes parts of Los Angeles County, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.