Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/801132
After suffering the loss of their brother and son, Commander Rick's family started a lifelong project in his name to support CHRISTUS Grace Home and the families they serve. Grace Home Blessed Bonds of GRACE HOME AND HOSPICE DONORS Gracie Allen Ann Peters Foundation Anonymous Shannon Barkley Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Barro Ellen Bartell Bayou State Oil Corporation Bossier Parish Clerk of Court Employees Judy Braswell Regina C. Brunson Patricia Burns Community Foundation of Sarasota County/ Grasp Fund Cowgill Donor Advised Fund—The Community Foundation Patricia G. Davis Ginger Disante Ms. Linda Dowling Patricia Ertz Renee Evans Peter Fayard Mrs. Helen A. Fitzgerald Mitzi Flowers Audrey Henderson Jan Hoefler Immaculate Conception Society/Christ The King Catholic Church Mrs. Janice Leatherwood Cherry Merrill Anne Parks Sandee Phagan Kathy and Tom Pope Rhonda V. Powell Mr. and Mrs. Jon Q=Petersen REOB LLC Theresa and Michael Stevenson Jennifer and Rodney Varnadore In 2008, private pilot Richard Dorgan, known to his friends as Commander Rick, was diagnosed with hemochromatosis, a disease characterized by too much iron in the body. After performing several diagnostic tests, doctors identified something suspicious in a CT scan and did a biopsy on Rick's liver. Unfortunately, Rick had experienced the most common complication associated with hemochromatosis: liver damage, which raises the risk of developing liver cancer. Eight years later, in early- to mid-2016, Rick became very sick and was diagnosed with liver cancer. He underwent extensive testing and multiple biopsies, but unfortunately, his cancer had spread and was untreatable. HEALING SUPPORT When Rick became too sick to care for himself in early September 2016, he began receiving hospice care at CHRISTUS Grace Home, where compassionate hospice care professionals offered solace to Rick during his final days, as well as support and compassion to his mother, Faye, and four sisters, Debbie, Vickie, Sharon and Becky. "I just can't say enough about the hospice care team at CHRISTUS Grace Home," Sharon says. "The support we received while our brother was receiving care was unbelievable — they went above and beyond in every way. "We were all hurting and having a hard time, but my mother was having the hardest time. Their staff knew exactly what to say and do to comfort all of us, especially my mother, and they made us feel like family, like they had known us forever," Sharon continues. WORKING TOGETHER The unparalleled support Rick's family received during such a difficult time spurred them to give back to Grace Home and the families they care for and support. "While we were there, we noticed some families bringing in food for other families who were there over the weekend," Sharon says. "This gave us the idea to start the Commander Rick Project, or, more formally, Blessed Bonds of Grace. Beginning on Thanksgiving 2016, we brought meals to families who were at CHRISTUS Grace Home during the holidays." In the future, Rick's family will be making care packages, baked goods, homemade meals and other special gifts for hospice families. "As long as CHRISTUS Grace Home exists, we'll be here to support it and the families that go there for care," Sharon says. To learn more about CHRISTUS Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care visit christushealthsb.org and enter "Grace Home" in the search bar or call (318) 681-7730. To donate to Grace Home, go to christusfoundationsb.org. CHRISTUS FOUNDATION Shreveport-Bossier 14 GRACE HOME