This is my first in a series on hospice. It will be part educational but mostly I will relate my experiences with Donna who entered hospice July 18, 2011. Though my eyes and experiences I hope others will see what hospice and palliative care brings to both the patient and the family. I believe in hospice and palliative care. It works because of the people involved. It gives both the dying and the living so much hope and sense of community and support. Because of hospice and especially those working and volunteering we are not alone when we most need support and care.