Cyclist raises money and awareness for palliative care program
Dr. Gregory Grammelspacher of Indianapolis, Indiana is taking part in the cross-country “Ride to Remember” with 13 other cyclists. The 3,280-mile bike ride began in Santa Barbara, California on September 14 and is scheduled to end in Charleston, South Carolina on October 24. He rides in memory of the patients of Wishard Hospital’s Pallative Care Program who have died. Dr. Grammelspacher helped found the palliative care program to assist the dying poor.
In addition to remembering deceased patients, raising awareness about being poor and dying, and educating people about the benefits of palliative care, Dr. Grammelspacher is raising funds for a comprehensive bereavement program for patients’ families. Before the ride began, he had already raised nearly half of his $330,000 goal. The Glick Family Foundation donated $110,000.
In the 10 years since the palliative care program began, about 3,000 patients have been treated with a holistic approach – helping them control their pain and symptoms, coordinating care with their doctors and providing information and support from nurses, doctors, spiritual advisors and social workers. Dr. Grammelspacher is blogging at ridetoremember.us; donations can be made on his site.
For the full story, go to The Indianapolis Star.
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