News

Direct Packet Helps to Grant Woman's Final Wish

Friends Help Grant Woman’s Final Wish
By Jason Dole, The River Reporter
March 1 – March 7, 2006 Edition

Harris – Maria Valencia was dying of cancer.  She had one final wish, to visit with her family in Colombia and say goodbye.  Time was short, things looked hopeless, but all that changed with a call.

Valencia’s close friend, Lucia Rodriguez, called the United Way Hudson Valley Region’s 211 Call Center, looking for help in granting her friend’s dying wish.  Soon, help was on the way.

Linda Cellini, Chief Professional Officer of Sullivan County United Way, explains that they tried but could not get a visa for Maria Valencia’s daughter to come from Colombia for a final visit.  Time was running short.

Then the idea came up for a video teleconference between Maria and her family so far away.  Cellini called Martin Handler of Sullivan County BOCES, who pledged his organization’s full support, including the service of Multimedia Technical Instructor Michael Hicks.

Soon, it all came together: BANCOLOMBIA set up the call on the Colombian end, while hardware was set up for Maria at the Catskill Regional Medical Center.  On January 24th, the call went through and Maria Valencia was speaking face-to-face with her son, daughter and grandchildren, who sat thousands of miles away in Colombia.  “She had a little granddaughter and grandson who she had never seen before, and they were able to talk to her and sing,” Cellini recalls.  “It was very emotional.” The call lasted about 45 minutes.  Shortly afterward, Valencia was discharged from CRMC because there was little else to do for her.  She had been holding on until she could say goodbye, and now that burden was gone.

Still, help continued to come.  Folks began raising $100 a day to help Maria enjoy her final days at home, while Sullivan/Orange Hospice made sure someone stopped by each day.

On Monday, Maria Valencia was taken to the emergency room of CRMS where she passed away.  But those who worked with her in her final days know that call meant a lot to Valencia.

“It was just such a wonderful reunion,” says Cellini.  “She was so happy to talk to them.  You could see it was the last time she would be able to visit with them.  It was really, really incredible.” Sullivan United Way is still seeking contributions for the cost of the call, and can be reached at 845-794-1771.