Healing Harmonies: An Afternoon of Music

By Joshua Scarselli.

The Community Hospice and St. Peter’s Palliative Care Partners held Healing Harmonies: An Afternoon of Music at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. This concert was a benefit held to support the important work they do, helping seriously ill people and their families. Not only does this concert help raise money, but it also spreads information to the community. A lot of people think you can only benefit from hospice or palliative care in your final days. In fact, you can access these services with a prognosis of six months or less. If someone is blessed to live beyond those six months, they aren’t kicked out of the program. They support some people for years. 

We were treated to a wide range of music. From classical to the eclectic, there was truly something for everyone. All of these talented individuals are present or former colleagues from St. Peter’s Health Partners. The acoustics of the center were absolutely amazing. This only served to enhance the performance. Every last piece was filled with emotional energy that represents the work these medical professionals bring to the community. 

The work Hospice and Palliative Care do is unique. They help people die with dignity. I worked for Hospice for five years. It is still one of the highlights of my medical career. Many patients will tell you that Hospice and Palliative Care allowed them to truly live once they found out they were going to die. 

If you want to make a donation or see how you can help, visit givetocommunityhospice.org.

Photo Gallery by Joshua Scarselli