Blog

A Legacy of Caring

Planned Giving is a Way to Give Back

Raupps2

Karla and Tom Raupp have always supported local charities, but Karla was looking to find a special connection to give of herself. She is a nurse who began volunteering at the Kansas City Hospice House™ in 2008. She enjoyed spending time with patients and their families and found she was able to really connect. She shared with Tom the impact of her experiences and they both developed a passion for the mission of KCH&PC.

They served on the Angel Gala Committee for two years and then Karla became the voice of volunteers on the Planned Giving Committee. “I felt like a fish out of water with all those financial people,” said Karla. “I know they valued my perspective, but I wanted to contribute more.” She recommended Tom and he served as the committee chair for four years. When he joined the KCH Foundation Board last month (see his profile on page 2), he stepped down as PGC chair, but continues to serve on the committee.

“I was already supportive of the mission of KCH, but being exposed to the inner workings really gives an opportunity to see the challenges that a nonprofit faces,” said Tom. “Every step of the way, it was clear that this is a well-run organization that is a good steward of its resources. The deeper you go, the more you understand the needs in our community and the importance of this unique organization in providing such a breadth of programs to our community.”

In April, Tom’s father was admitted to Hospice House and the couple found themselves with a new pers-pective. “It’s one thing to hear about what KCH does,” said Tom, “but when your own family needs care, you see things in a very personal way.” Understanding the need to ensure that the KCH mission is carried out for generations to come, Karla and Tom have made a Legacy Gift, including KCH in their estate plans. 

For information on making your own Legacy Gift, call Mary Zahner Bauer at 816.276.2625.


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Our Programs

Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care provides comprehensive, expert care for all ages at all stages of serious illness.

Hospice Care

When the focus shifts to comfort instead of treatment, care comes to your home or nursing facility with a plan tailored to your needs, including emotional and spiritual support for the whole family.

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Hospice Care

Palliative Medicine Fellowship

Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care is the community clinical site for the University of Kansas Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship. We're committed to developing physicians with specialty-level training in caring for patients with serious or terminal illness.

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Palliative Medicine Fellowship

Community-Based Palliative Care

Beginning as early as diagnosis and at any stage of serious illness, our nurse practitioners make home visits as needed to help coordinate your care and provide expert pain and symptom management.

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Community-Based Palliative Care
Hospice House

Hospice House

When symptoms cannot be easily managed at home, two hospice houses provide 24/7 expert care in comfortable home-line settings where family members can be relieved of caregiving duties to focus on loved ones.

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Carousel Pediatric Care

Carousel provides palliative and hospice care for perinatal and for babies through young adults with a dedicated team of pediatric nurses, social workers, chaplains and other specialists.

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Carousel Pediatric Care
Solace House

Solace House

Our center for grief and healing supports individuals and families who have been impacted by the death of a loved one, whether anticipated, or sudden and unexpected. We provide opportunities to share, listen, learn and heal with peer group support from age 3 through adult.

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