With temperatures rising, many families, including patients who receive at-home hospice care, lack the means to keep cool during the summer months. Consistent with its goal to keep patients as comfortable as possible, Mountain Valley Hospice is once again collecting fans and air conditioning units for those in need.

“I remember there was a patient who lived in a mobile home, and the air conditioning unit was broken. He was on oxygen and had a hard time breathing,” said Sheila Jones, director of marketing with Mountain Valley Hospice. “We were able to install a new window unit in his home which significantly improved his quality of life.

“If you find a fan that you’re not using, it can make a big difference in the life of a patient who otherwise would have to suffer through the heat of summer,” said Jones.

Businesses, churches and civic groups also are encouraged to donate or purchase fans and air conditioning units.

Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care is a nonprofit organization serving the terminally ill in Surry, Yadkin and the 14 surrounding counties. Through its team of trained specialists, health-care professionals and volunteers, Mountain Valley Hospice addresses the growing need for compassionate hospice care through offices in Yadkinville, Elkin, Mount Airy and Stuart and Galax, Va. In March 2009, Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care started serving patients and families at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice home in Dobson.

Anyone who has a fan or air conditioning unit in good working order is encouraged to drop them off at a Mountain Valley Hospice office. For more information, call 1-888-789-2922.