End of Life Doula Services
To ease the transition
What, you may wonder, is an end of life doula?
When a person is entering the last phase of life, an end of life doula steps in to provide support for the patient and family members.
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Unlike hospice, the doula doesn’t provide medical care. But they provide many other important services including emotional, physical and spiritual support. They also offer much-needed respite and logistical assistance for the caregivers.
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Thanks to generous support from the Susan Lundquist End of Life Doula Foundation, Cancer Support Sonoma is able to offer this comforting service.
About the Foundation
While Susan was receiving her cancer treatments at UCSF, she turned to CSS for integrative support services. During her visits, she formed a close bond with massage therapist Teri Adolfo who stayed by her side, acting as an end of life doula to Susan and her family members during Susan’s last days.
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That’s when the idea for the Foundation was born. “We want others to experience the support and peace of mind an end of life doula can bring to the patient, family and caregivers,” says Douglas Thornley, Susan’s husband and founder of the Foundation.
Meet Kelly Dillman — Our End of Life Doula
Kelly began training as a doula after a dear friend passed away unexpectedly. His sudden death left his wife and young son in deep grief, and many difficulties arose as he had not prepared them for life after his death.
As a way of coping with the loss of her friend, Kelly started studying death and dying. This set her on the path to becoming an end of life doula.
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“My education, as well as years of bedside experience, has helped me to support many people through their end of life journey… including my parents,” says Kelly.
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Cancer Support Sonoma is grateful to Kelly for helping to develop our Doula program. In addition to working with clients, she helps recruit and train others who want to be involved in this heartfelt work.
