BETHLEHEM, PA (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – A national shortage of hospice and palliative medicine physicians is on the rise, and the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation (JAACF), is out to help fund palliative care education for healthcare professionals.

The Bethlehem-based nonprofit recently gifted $10,000 to St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) to advance the Judith Adele Agentis Palliative Care Education Fund at the hospital. The gifting ceremony occurred at Reaching High Notes, the nonprofit’s  benefit dinner gala  held June 19th at the lovely outdoor Alley Bar & Grille, at the Steel Club in Hellertown.

“With the country’s population aging and the growth in the number of patients with a life-limiting illness or a chronic condition continuing to increase,  palliative needs are not being met,” said Dr. Erin Bendas, who served as the benefit’s guest speaker.

Bendas is Program Director of Palliative and Hospice Care at SLUHN. She continued,   “Currently, there is one palliative care physician nationwide for every 1,300 people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and 1 for every 20,000 patients with severe chronic illness.”

“Reaching High Notes was an amazing and flawless benefit thanks to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and the 150 guests who came out to support the cause and to also dance the night away,” said Robert Agentis, Founder and Chairman of Judith Adele (JAACF.)

Meanwhile, the evening continued with panache and high energy. Entertainment included Ginger and the Schnappes during the cocktail hour, followed by the Philly Funk Authority who generously held to a year-old contract due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Kate Hughes served as emcee and auctioneer. A talented team of contemporary regional artists brought energy to the auction including; Jacqueline Agentis, Stephanie Agentis, Ali Alamasi of Zaffrus, Tina Cantelmi, Michael Lebson, Kim Hogan, Rigo Peralta, and Lisa Villani.

Major sponsors included: Agentis Kitchen and Bath; Better Homes and Gardens Cassidon Real Estate; Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors Association; Lehigh Valley Press; St. Luke’s University Health Network and Tri-Outdoor Advertising. Day-of-event support was donated by Fun-Nominal Events and Marketing.

The Scholarship Fund will help assure future generations will receive quality and professional care in their most personal time of need, summed Agentis.

Founded in 2013 to provide hope, health, and healing to patients and their families during hospice care, the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation has delivered more than 20,000 meals to St. Luke’s Hospice House in Bethlehem, PA. The Judith Adele Agentis Palliative Care Education Fund was created in 2020 to help meet the need for palliative care education for health care workers. For more information about the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation, please visit www.jaacf.org.

Information and image provided by:
Tina Bradford
Writer/Public Relations/Social Media
http://twitter.com/TinaBradfordPR

 

 

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