Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care

02/23/2026

Thank you Colorado Springs Town Tidings - News & Events for sharing the story of our blanket drive for veterans!

A blanket means more than warmth. ❤️

Right now, local veterans in hospice are waiting for a final thank you. 🇺🇸

Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care set a goal of collecting 100 patriotic blankets by March 2. As of yesterday, they’re about three-fourths of the way there. They’re close, but they need a final push from the community.

These blankets do more than cover a bed. They honor a life of service. They remind a veteran, “Your life had meaning.” 💙 And after a loved one passes, families often hold onto the blanket as a reminder of a special moment during hospice care.

Danielle Smeed from Pikes Peak Hospice shared that the blankets become a lasting symbol of gratitude — a final thank you from the community. 🙏

For volunteer Carolyn, this mission is personal. She creates blankets to honor her father, a Purple Heart veteran from World War II, and her son. 🎖️ After years as a nursing home administrator, she saw many veterans near the end of life quietly wonder if their service truly mattered.

No one who served our country should ever feel that way.

If you’d like to help, here’s how:

• 🇺🇸 Donate a patriotic blanket
• 🧵 Make one yourself
• 🤝 Volunteer your time

One blanket can honor one veteran and bring comfort to one family. 🕊️

They’re close to 100. Will you help them get there by March 2?

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📱 Published in today's issue of the Colorado Springs Town Tidings - News & Events issue: 26-048

🙋‍♀️ If you have a business and want to be featured, DM for details.

02/20/2026

Caregivers play an essential role in supporting individuals and families through serious illness. At Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, caregivers help ensure comfort, dignity, and compassionate support—whether care is provided at home or in our Inpatient Care Center.

We are grateful today and always for caregivers who give so much of themselves to others.

02/19/2026

Research shows that while most Americans say end-of-life planning is important, only 24% have actually documented their wishes.

That gap matters.

Without clear documentation, families are often left to make difficult decisions during moments of crisis—unsure of what their loved one would have wanted. Advance directives and other end-of-life planning documents give individuals a voice, even when they cannot speak for themselves.

Taking time to put your wishes in writing is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your family. It reduces stress, prevents confusion, and helps ensure the care you receive reflects your values and priorities.

Starting the conversation today can bring clarity and peace of mind for tomorrow.

02/18/2026

We’re honored to share that our call for patriotic blanket donations for veterans in our care was recently featured by FOX21 News.

As part of our ongoing commitment to honoring those who have served, we are collecting new red, white, and blue blankets to present to veteran patients in hospice care. Each blanket is a symbol of gratitude, dignity, and respect.

Our goal is to collect 100 blankets, and community support is already making a meaningful impact.

If you knit, crochet, sew, or would like to purchase a new patriotic blanket to donate, we would be deeply grateful.

Watch the full story here:
https://www.fox21news.com/video/pikes-peak-hospice-looking-for-patriotic-blankets-for-veterans/11527203/

Thank you for helping us honor our veterans with warmth and appreciation.

https://www.fox21news.com/news/local/pikes-peak-hospice-looking-for-patriotic-blankets-for-veterans/

02/17/2026

Yesterday, on President's Day, volunteers from Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care and from Pikes Peak National Cemetery prepared for the Flags for Fallen Vets event by inspecting and counting almost 5000 flags. These flags will be placed at Pikes Peak National Cemetery on May 23rd. You can join us by registering at www.flagsforfallenvets.com

02/16/2026

"Thank you" hardly seems enough. The Empty Stocking Fund raised an extraordinary $1.745 million this season for 20 partner agencies. Because of the generosity of this community, families are housed, children are fed, seniors and veterans are treasured, those who are hurting are comforted, and thousands of people of all ages are provided the dignity, compassion and respect we all deserve. Thank you to Gazette Charities Foundation and all the partners and supporters of this powerful campaign.

02/11/2026

We’re honored to be featured in Beacon Senior News - Colorado Springs-Pueblo for a story highlighting the heart behind Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care.

At PPHPC, hospice and palliative care are about comfort, dignity, and making the most of every moment. From our new 12-suite inpatient care center—designed to feel like home—to our Level 5 We Honor Veterans designation and donor-funded moments that help families create lasting memories, this work is truly about life, not loss.

As the only nonprofit hospice in Colorado Springs, we are proud to provide care to anyone who needs it, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Read the full story here: https://coloradosprings.beaconseniornews.com/2026/01/06/559696/inside-pikes-peak-hospice-nonprofit-hospice-and-palliative-care-in-colorado-springs

02/10/2026

Podcast spotlight! SeniorTalk Podcast features expert conversations on aging, caregiving, senior services, and community resources—and we’re proud to share that Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care’s own Danielle Smeed was a recent guest on the show, broadcast on KRDO News Radio.

In the February 9 episode, Danielle talked about what it truly looks like to care for someone facing a life-limited illness, the supports available for caregivers, and—especially with National Caregiver Day coming up on February 20—why caring for the caregivers themselves is so important.

Great job, Danielle!

02/09/2026

We asked, and you’re delivering! We are almost half way toward our goal of receiving donations of 100 NEW red, white and blue blankets for veteran patients in our care. We launched this drive last month, and it continues through March 2 (although donations of handmade blankets are welcome year-round). Many of you have asked about desired size: Lap blankets are best – so, roughly 36 by 48 inches or larger. We are grateful to the many knitters and crocheters (individuals and social groups) we know are hard at work on their blankets! Folks are also welcome to visit our Amazon Wish List to send a patriotic fleece blanket at bit.ly/ForOurVeterans.

For more info, go to https://pikespeakhospice.org/show-us-your-red-white-and-blue-help-comfort-our-veterans-with-blankets/

02/06/2026

We are thrilled to welcome the following community members to our boards in 2026, providing expert and strategic guidance and oversight in accomplishing our mission.

Joining the board of directors of Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care are:

Kelly Gallegos, Chief Nursing Officer, UC Health Memorial Central and North Hospitals; Dayton Romero, Regional Program Manager, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), AARP; Dr. Maurice Markus, medical oncologist and hematologist, Rocky Mountain Cancer Center; and Douglas Weddell, retired attorney, Weddell & Haller.

Stepping onto the PPHPC Executive Committee are: Dr. James Young, chair; Cassidy Crossman, vice chair; Matthew Hanson, secretary; and Brandon Schulze, treasurer.

Joining the board of trustees of Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation are: Karole Campbell, President, Madwoman Marketing Strategies; Trudy Hodges, retired nonprofit executive; and Tarah King, Senior Vice President, Columbia Bank.

Stepping onto the foundation Executive Committee are: Lisa Keenan, chair; Karen Svarverud, vice chair; Brian Lipp, treasurer; Matt Farrell, secretary; and Michael Healy, immediate past chair and liaison to PPHPC.

To see a full list of our board members, go to https://pikespeakhospice.org/about-us/senior-leadership-board/

02/05/2026

✨ 2025 was a milestone year for Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care! ✨

We were honored to serve more patients than ever before—and to open the region’s first freestanding hospice Inpatient Care Center. In 2025, we cared for just under 2,000 hospice patients, a 14% increase from the year before and a 41% increase since 2023. When including palliative care, we supported more than 2,500 individuals and families across our community.

“On a typical day in 2025, we served about 274 hospice patients—an all-time high for us,” shared President Dawn Darvalics. “Some days, we reached 300 patients in our care.”

Our new 12-suite inpatient center opened in late June and quickly exceeded expectations—another powerful reminder of the growing need for compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care in El Paso County.

“We take this work seriously, and we’re careful with the trust families place in us,” Darvalics said. “We know how much this moment matters.”

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re preparing to meet even greater demand—guided by compassion, trust, and deep respect for every family we serve.

02/04/2026

It was 15 degrees and snowing outside, yet there was nothing but warmth and smiles inside as Gayle, a patient in the care of Pikes Peak Hospice, settled in to watch the AFC playoffs at home with her son Michael – their first time enjoying a Broncos game together in at least 15 years.

Michael flew from his home near Orlando, Fla., to Colorado Springs for the weekend, only his second visit back to Colorado since moving to Florida in 2020. His flight was made possible through Making Memories, a program of Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation that offers patients and families a memorable outing or experience that wouldn’t be possible without financial support from the foundation.

“It’s so nice – like old times,” Gayle beamed. “He did the dishes, he’s cooking dinner, making sure I get my medicine, just taking care of me.”

For Michael, the weekend visit was a “peaceful and relaxing” break from his grueling schedule as a resort chef and a welcome opportunity to spend quality time with his mom. The diehard Broncos fans reminisced over the many games they watched together as a family when Michael was a boy and they lived in Denver just a block from Mile High Stadium.

Donors to Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation make special family moments like the one enjoyed by Gayle and Michael possible. Gayle was a waitress for nearly 50 years before illness forced her to step back from work.

“I appreciate you sending him,” said Gayle. “I know I couldn’t have afforded it.”

And while the Broncos ultimately fell to the Patriots, for Gayle and Michael the weekend together was something they’ll always treasure.