Volunteer Records: Bio

HOSPICE

HOSPICE is the medical care of patients at the end stages of ALL life-ending diseases, not just cancer. Hospice not only cares for the patient, but their loved-ones, too, supporting everyone during this unsettling time for the family. Surviving members are even followed for 13 months after the patient’s death with bereavement support. An interdisciplinary team—of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains and volunteers—works together to provide palliative care, where the focus is on comfort, easing physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual pain.

Statistics sadly reveal that most people don’t avail themselves to this medically driven service. There are many reasons for this, but mainly, it’s because people are still, after 25+ years from it’s inception, unaware of the benefits of hospice support.

Projects like "Ho Ho Ho Spice" and "Holiday Heart" are means to educate people. Through these collections’ liner-notes, website and press, information about hospice will be disseminated.

Those who do use hospice are not making themselves available early enough in the disease process to truly maximize the full benefits possible. And, because of the outdated reimbursement structure established in the early 80’s, most hospices have been hit hard financially due to this shortening of the average length of stay. The quick of it is, is that fundraising has become even more important for all hospices, making projects like "Holiday Heart" and "Ho Ho Ho Spice" necessary.

To get even more details about hospice, go to:
www.nhpco.org

And if you live in New Jersey, in Essex, Monmouth, Morris and Union counties, please go to Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center’s website:
www.saintbarnabas.com/hospitals/hospice

SAINT BARNABAS HOSPICE and Palliative Care Center

Please go to Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center’s website:
www.saintbarnabas.com/hospitals/hospice

VOLUNTEER RECORDS

This is an independent effort, facilitated by me, SPIRO BALLAS. Currently, I'm a Volunteer Coordinator for Saint Barnabas Hospice and Pallaitve Care Center. However, prior to that, from 1987 to 1994, I produced a music tabloid, called "The Splatter Effect," which was available free at clubs and record stores in the New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia area.

This project allows me to bridge both experiences. I'm glad you've come to share it.

Many have supported this effort, giving what they can in the form of discounts and free services. I can't thank enough each one of you who have contributed--the bands, manufacturer, Scott Hull, the publications who gave advertising discounts (just to name a few)--you all have my grateful appreciation. THANK YOU!

I hope to continue this series of releases, but have no hard plans for a third. However, if you have appropriate material, I welcome you to submit it. Hearing how artists approach a similar theme in so many different ways is one reason why I initiated this effort. Send material to: Volunteer Records, PO Box 381, Pennington, NJ 08534.