Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: March 27, 2013
CONTACT: Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: Groundbreaking for the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice was held on the site of the project in Fredon, NJ on March 26, 2013. The ten in-patient room facility will be built on 9 acres adjacent to the Waterwheel Farm, hopefully completed by spring 2014. Pictured in sharing the event L to R is Sussex County Freeholder Richard Vohden, 5th district representative Congressman Scott Garrett, Sussex County Chamber President Tammie Horsfield, state Senator Steve Oroho, Willard Klemm, owner of Waterwheel Farm, Fredon Mayor Carl Lazzaro, Julia Quinlan, Co-Founder of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Assemblywoman Alison-Little McHose, Mary Ellen Quinlan, daughter of Julia Quinlan and sister of Karen Ann, and Cecelia Clayton, Executive Director of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.

PHOTO: Julia Quinlan, Co-Founder of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice speaks to the audience of supporters for the building of the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice

Groundbreaking for the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice

Newton, NJ – March 27, 2013 – Mrs. Julia Quinlan, co-founder of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice spoke with great emotion on the journey that brought her to witness the groundbreaking of the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice. Mrs. Quinlan expressed “it is an important day in the history of the (Karen Ann Quinlan) Hospice”… “We were the first hospice in this county and now our hospice will be the first to build a home for hospice patients” she continued. The groundbreaking was held March 26th in Fredon, NJ on the Fairview Hill Rd. site of the future facility complete with shovels and hard hats ready to go! Hospice’s Executive Director Cecelia Clayton opened the ceremony by thanking all those who have supported hospice and the new home. She continued by thanking the hospice staff and the Quinlans for turning their dream and vision into reality.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice opened in 1980 and was named after the Quinlans daughter, Karen Ann who in 1975 at the age of 21 inexplicably lapsed into a coma which put her in a diagnosed persistent vegetative state of which there was no hope of recovery. It was the lawsuit that followed requesting to have Karen Ann removed from the respirator which brought worldwide attention to the plight of the young woman. At that time the Quinlans and their case became the spokespeople for the right to die with dignity and the catalyst for the ever increasingly important global conversation that trailed. In America, the case was the thrust that now requires all medical institutions to assemble medical ethics boards and also the impetus for living wills and advance directives. Karen Ann lived for almost a decade after she was removed from the respirator and died in 1985.

…But hospice is about life and she (Karen Ann) will always be with us Mrs. Quinlan pointed out as she spoke about the new project. “It is not just a building; it is surrounded by trees and nature with a beautiful view”. The 5 million dollar home to be built on property adjacent to the Waterwheel Farm will be a home hospice patients can call their own during their final days according to Mrs. Quinlan.

Mrs. Quinlan’s dream is shared by her two children Mary Ellen and John who have been serving with the foundation since it was founded by their mother and father, the late Joseph Quinlan and represented the family at the groundbreaking. Willard and Jeanette Klemm, owners of the Fredon Waterwheel farm and longtime friends of hospice, also shared the Quinlans’ vision which led them to parting with a portion of the farm grounds that will accommodate the facility and has been purported as having the best view in Sussex County. “This is God’s picture”… a silent prayer for those facing end of life, Senator Steve Oroho stated in speaking to the group.

Congressman Scott Garrett reminded the audience that our “final days are so precious” and he saluted all those who worked to make this possible. He spoke from personal experience the profound effect it (hospice care) can have on the individual and family. Assemblywoman Alison Littell- McHose concluded by sharing with the audience “Julia (Quinlan) you are an inspiration to me!”

The regional residence will have ten private patient rooms, a kitchen, family room, gathering room, meditation room, a children’s area, and various sitting rooms, all with unlimited family access. The home is designed for short term patient care or as a patient’s residence which will include pain control and management of acute and severe clinical problems and symptoms that cannot be achieved in a home setting. The facility will also provide patient respite care to give families and caregivers an opportunity for “breathers”.

The capital campaign is still in need of 3.5 million dollars to complete the project. For anyone who would like more information as to how they can contribute, please contact Glenn Lewis, Director of Development at 973-383-0115 or email glewis@karenannquinlanhospice.org.
To help raise funds for the new home, the hospice is holding a Spring Gala on April 27th at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta. Tickets and sponsorships are still available so please contact events manager Jennifer Smith at 973-383-0115 or email jsmith@karenannquinlanhospice.org.

Donations to the cause of hospice, the home, or memorials may also be made by visiting the website.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has been dedicated to providing optimum hospice care to patients and their families for over 30 years and serves Northwest NJ and Northeast PA, with two offices: 99 Sparta Ave Newton, NJ 07860 and 104 Bennett Avenue Suite2A-2 Milford, PA 18337. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is part of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and provides bereavement services to patient’s families as well as to the community with two office locations; the main office is located at 61 Spring Street Lower Level Suite 100 Newton, NJ 07860 with a second location at 214 Washington Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840. The bereavement center also holds grief support groups and programs in Pike County, PA. For locations or more information on any of the above services visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org or call at 800-882-1117.

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