Kelly and Karen – traveling the journey together.

“I’m alive today because of my end-of-life Doula, Karen,” Kelly* said to me recently. “We share a very strong bond.” Kelly, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and then suffered from two malignant brain tumors in the past six years, was referring to her volunteer doula from Hospice SLO County

Kelly first learned about Hospice SLO County in 2019—just after her oncologist and neurologist delivered the news that she had two months to live. As she later sat at her dining room table processing her prognosis with a few others, the topic of end-of-life doula services came up. Everyone enthusiastically urged Kelly, “We need you to meet Karen!”

At the time, Kelly was unfamiliar with doulas and the type of care they provide. “And who was Karen?” she wondered. She didn’t realize that Hospice SLO County had a team of volunteer end-of-life doulas offering the same level of support, comfort, and deeper meaning to the dying as birth doulas provide at the beginning of life.

When Kelly and Karen first met, there was an immediate connection. As they began to talk, Karen told Kelly that it was important for them to get to know each other and be comfortable with one another, because she was going to be involved in a very intimate stage of Kelly’s life. With those words, their life-changing and life-saving friendship began.

They started to meet weekly, chatted, and took short walks around the neighborhood. As the months progressed, their bond strengthened. “At this point, I consider her a friend,” Kelly reflected. “I felt comfortable asking her questions and sharing my thoughts that I can’t discuss even with my close friends. She has been the perfect person to help me navigate through this stage of my life.”

For 45 years, Hospice SLO County has been supporting our community—providing countywide, non-medical in-home respite care, emotional support, practical assistance, and comfort to individuals like Kelly, their families, and caregivers who are coping with a life-limiting illness

End-of-life doula support is just one of many services Hospice SLO County provides—all of which are free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Bringing a nurturing presence and calming influence, end-of-life doulas offer non-medical, holistic support to the dying and those who love them.

Today, Karen remains at Kelly’s side, confounding doctors more than three years after her prognosis. What started out as a two-month volunteer assignment for Karen has turned into 42 months of helping Kelly through a stage of her life that once felt unknown and isolating.

As for Kelly, being on hospice care continues to teach her invaluable lessons about life: “Put together your special team of people who will help you navigate this new phase of your life—and celebrate each day by doing something that brings you joy.” *Client’s real name has been changed by request.