Angels co-founder Kim Clatworthy and a patient get ready for a spa day.

Dr. Cecily Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement said, “You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all that we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to let you live until you die.”

Consistent with this philosophy, Arkansas Hospice Angels was organized to bring loving, caring support and pampering services to terminally ill patients of Arkansas Hospice — manicures, pedicures, massages, facial, make-up and hair-styling. The patient chooses from a menu of services, based on his or her personal preference, needs and physical ability to participate. This might be a full body massage, or, if the patient is particularly frail, just a hand or foot massage. It might be styling a wig, rather than hair. Or it might mean a “dry” shampoo if the patient is too weak to be moved from her bed. For Arkansas Hospice patients who desire it, the full Jacquie Carter Spa Day is available, including limo and professional photographs. Regardless of the service, the patient will receive special attention and nurturing.

The idea for the Angels was conceived by Kim Clatworthy as a memorial to her friend, Jacquie Carter, a former Arkansas Hospice patient. When Jacquie was dying of brain cancer during the winter of 2003, she talked with Kim about how sad it was never to be touched. In response to her friend’s feelings of isolation within her illness, Kim arranged a Spa Day for Jacquie, complete with limousine service, massage, make-over, glamour photographs and an evening out. Jacquie loved the experience, remarking, “For today, people acted like I was normal, like I didn’t have a terminal illness.”

After Jacquie’s death, Kim decided bringing this experience to other terminally-ill patients would be a wonderful way to memorialize her friend while helping others. She and Dana Davin, who represents Aloette Cosmetics, became co-founders and volunteer leaders of the Angels. Volunteers were recruited, organized and trained. As Celia Storey wrote in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reporting on the Angels first client, “A gathering of Angels swoops down and wings [you] away from illness for a day of pampering fun.” The Arkansas Hospice Angels focus on the person…not the illness!

As the group became organized and prepared for its first day of service at Arkansas Hospice’s Little Rock inpatient center, there was already an indication of things to come. Patients eagerly began to sign up for services from the menu of pampering options. Volunteers have been calling to donate their professional services from the very beginning and we welcome all who wish to participate. The first group of volunteers was trained in May 2004.

For more information about becoming an Arkansas Hospice Angel volunteer, please contact Harriet Hawkins at 1-501-748-3392, toll free at 877-257-3400, or by e-mail at hhawkins@arkansashospice.org.