Profiles in presence: angela martin

groundswell 2025 speech from angela martin:

Good afternoon and thank you all for being here today. My name is Angela Martin, and I have the privilege of working for Hospice of Redmond- we are one of the oldest nonprofit hospices in the state of Oregon.

At Hospice of Redmond, I am a transitions coordinator and co-run a no cost transitions program. My role is to advocate, and case manage for people who are learning to navigate illness.

Last year I did something phenomenal and became an end-of-life doula through The Peaceful Presence Project. The combination of these professions has helped me become an excellent resource for ill and dying people in the community.

Even though Hospice provides 24/7 support, they are unable to provide 24/7 caregiving. Seeing these challenges with patients is the hardest part of this amazing work. It’s heartbreaking to see someone in need of support but unable to get it because of financial struggles or because they live remotely.

This is where ‘Compassion Funds’ and Hospice marry so beautifully. The Peaceful Presence Project has secured funding through foundation support and individual donations to ensure that end-of-life doula services are accessible to individuals and families in greatest need—those who would benefit from care but lack the financial means to afford it.

I have seen firsthand how compassion funds can change the way someone dies. Via my work with the Hospice of Redmond, I’ve made four referrals to Peaceful Presence and in each of these cases, their compassion funds have provided a doula match with one of our high need patients.

Last year I had a patient, let’s call her Jane. She lived alone and didn’t have a caregiver because she couldn’t afford one. I worried about her regularly – she was such a social butterfly and thrived around others. Thanks to compassion funds Jane was paired with the perfect doula. Knowing that Jane had at least one or even two extra visits a week from another caring, loving person to reassure her and just be present with her, gave both of us such peace of mind. And I know it made Jane’s death better.

Dying can be a lonely process, and no one should have to face this challenge alone. Your care and support make a real difference. Thank you, Elizabeth, Erin, Kari and Lindsay for training such incredible end-of-life doulas to support the people in this amazing community!