As the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) has grown, so too have the opportunities for nursing education and scientific research. The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) was incorporated in 1998 with the mission to advance support of education and research in end-of-life nursing, helping to realize HPNA's goals. Excitement is growing as HPNF is now positioned to offer scholarship and grant programs to nurses in end-of-life care arenas.
In 2002, HPNA generously donated seed money to HPNF to initiate grant and scholarship programs for nurses in end-of-life care. Additional money was provided to offer chapters opportunities for development. We are pleased that with many nurses asking for financial assistance for professional enhancement, HPNF will soon announce the availability of 3 new grant and scholarship programs, all focusing on furthering education and research. Nurses and nursing students working in end-of-life care will be eligible to seek grant money to assist them in seeking professional enhancement of academic pursuits. Additionally, nurses will also have an opportunity to seek support in research by applying to a shared grant from HPNF and Sigma Theta Tau International. HPNA chapters can apply for money for educational purposes. These programs are exciting and represent the beginning of many opportunities for all levels of nursing practice to increase their scope of care and the body of knowledge in the field of end-of-life nursing care. Information about these grant and scholarship programs and application may be found on the foundation Web site at http://www.HPNA.org, click "HPN Foundation."
To maintain these grants and to offer new possibilities, we need your support. The generosity of our donors is vital as we continue our effort to forward the agenda of nursing education and research. More important, we must invest in the nurses of the future. This means ensuring the foundation of sound grant and scholarship programs, allowing the future possibility that any nurse identifying the need to learn more about end-of-life care can come to HPNF for help. The vision is to expand similar opportunities to the entire nursing team and to include the licensed practical/vocational nurse and the nursing assistant.
Have you done your part? Have you considered your role as a supporter of the foundation by giving? There are many ways to make a contribution with the following possibilities:
* Send a check to HPNF annually (select a holiday or special date as a reminder), or include it with your membership renewal.
* Make a donation in memory of a special person.
* Have friends and family donate to HPNF in lieu of birthday or holidays gifts.
* Place a donation to HPNF in your will ("Planned Giving").
* Contribute an item or a monetary gift to the Annual HPNF Auction held at the AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly.
Imagine if each of the 6,500 HPNA members made an annual donation of $25, a total of $162,500 would be generated. Consider the grant opportunities from what may be a rather modest individual contribution!! Moreover, this membership support would provide clear demonstration to potential sponsors of the dedication of our members. The possibilities are endless, from larger scholarships to monetary awards that recognize the state and art of hospice and palliative nursing.
We thank you for your past support and ask you now for your new or continued support. Let's move the HPNF into a strong financial position and make a statement in the arena of end-of-life nursing care.
Thank you.