Lightways Hospice

June is Serious Illness Care Month 💜

When facing a serious illness, having the right support can make all the difference. At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, our Serious Illness Care team works alongside your existing medical providers to help manage symptoms, navigate challenges, and focus on what matters most to you.

Our care goes beyond medical needs, providing emotional, social, and spiritual support for both patients and their loved ones. The goal is simple: to help improve quality of life at any stage of a serious illness.

You don't have to wait to get the support you deserve. Comfort, guidance, and compassionate care are available when you need them.

Learn more about how Serious Illness Care supports patients and families by visiting our website and exploring our Light The Way blog series:

www.lightways.org/serious-illness-care/

www.lightways.org/2025/06/05/understanding-serious-illness-care-palliative-care-a-compassionate-approach-to-living-well/

We are proud to celebrate Lightways Veteran Volunteer Don O’Brien and his recent Honor Flight experience!

Don served as a U.S. Army medic in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967, caring for wounded soldiers during three major military operations. His courage and dedication earned him numerous honors, including the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Today, Don continues his commitment to serving others through his volunteer work with Lightways. As a Veteran Volunteer, he visits fellow veterans in their homes and long-term care communities, conducting meaningful pinning ceremonies that recognize their service and sacrifice.

Thank you, Don, for your service to our country and for the compassion you continue to share with our community. We are honored to have you as part of the Lightways family.

What an incredible day at the Super Heart Family Walk & 5K Fun Run!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us on Saturday for a morning filled with family, fitness, fun, and community spirit. From the energy of Yoshi’s Mini Dash to every runner, walker, volunteer, sponsor, and supporter who crossed the finish line, you helped make this event truly special.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Labus Family, whose support and dedication helped make this event possible, as well as all of our Event Sponsors and Annual Sponsors. Your generosity and commitment to our mission continue to make a lasting impact on the children and families we serve.

Together, we took meaningful steps in support of the Pediatric Program of Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, helping provide compassionate care and support to children and families who need it most. Every step, every smile, and every contribution made a difference.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support and the memories made throughout the day. Thank you for showing up, powering up, and making this year's event a success! 💙

This D-Day, we remember the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during World War II and honor all veterans who have answered the call to serve our nation.

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is proud to support veterans through compassionate, specialized care and to be recognized at the highest level of distinction in the We Honor Veterans program, Level 5.

Learn more: 815.740.4104 | www.lightways.org/services/veterans

A heartfelt thank you to the students from Joliet Catholic High School for spending their day volunteering with Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care!

These dedicated students helped us remove stuffing from brand-new donated pillows from Habitat for Humanity. By saving and repurposing the stuffing, we can continue creating our cherished Memory Bears, which provide comfort and meaningful keepsakes for families.

They also spent time outside helping care for the grounds, cleaning windows, and tackling projects that helped keep our campus looking beautiful and welcoming for patients, families, staff, and visitors.

To top it all off, they assembled participant bags for our upcoming 5K on Saturday, helping us prepare for another successful community event.

We are so grateful for their hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to serving others. Thank you to all of the students who volunteered and made a difference in the lives of the patients and families we serve. Your kindness, energy, and generosity are truly appreciated!

This June, we are highlighting Serious Illness Care 💜

At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, we are dedicated to helping people live as fully and comfortably as possible while facing a serious illness.

Serious Illness Care provides an extra layer of support alongside your current treatment. It focuses on more than medical care, it supports the whole person by improving quality of life for both patients and their families. From managing symptoms to offering emotional and spiritual support, we are here to walk with you every step of the way.

You do not have to wait for a later stage of illness to receive support. Comfort, dignity, and guidance can begin now.

👉 Learn more about how we can help: www.lightways.org/serious-illness-care/

Raising Awareness for ALS 💙

A diagnosis of ALS can bring uncertainty and challenges, but no one should have to navigate the journey alone.

At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, we provide compassionate support for individuals living with ALS and the families who care for them. From comfort-focused care to emotional guidance and everyday support, our team is here every step of the way.

Learn more about our ALS care services at www.lightways.org/als-care

🌱 Come grow with us at Lightways! 💛

We’re proud to be named a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace five years in a row — and as we expand into the northern region, we’re hiring across a variety of roles!

Whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience, Lightways offers more than a job — it's a chance to make a real difference every day.

⭐ Why join Lightways?
✨ Mission-driven work that truly matters
✨ Supportive, compassionate team culture
✨ Competitive pay and great benefits
✨ Opportunities in hospice, serious illness, and pediatric care
✨ A place where purpose and passion grow together

If you're ready to build a career with heart, we’d love to connect.

👉 Apply today: www.lightways.org/careers

💙 Peace of the Heart Kids Camp 💙

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀!!

While registration for Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care’s Peace of the Heart Kids Camp has officially closed, we have a few spots still available for children ages 7 to 13 who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

This special camp provides a supportive environment where children can explore their grief in healthy ways while enjoying arts and crafts, games, music, and other meaningful activities alongside peers who understand.

𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
🗓 June 29 to July 2, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
📍 Nature Center at Pilcher Park
✨ Free of charge and open to all children, regardless of whether their loved one received hospice services from Lightways.

If you missed the registration deadline and are interested in attending, please reach out to us as soon as possible to learn about the remaining openings.

👉 Contact us today: www.lightways.org/event/peace-of-the-heart-kids-camp/

Did you know that Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care provides Grief Support Services to anyone in our community who are in need of services at no charge? Check out our June Grief Support programs.

We understand the unique concerns of those grieving. Our licensed grief counselors provide individual and family counseling. Additionally, we offer a slate of workshops, support groups and special programs aimed at grief education, self-care during intense grief reactions and developing coping skills that assist in working through the grief process.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our Grief Support Team at 815.460.3295 or email [email protected].