A Special UK Wildcat Surprises Young Patient

Our stories about meaningful experiences are written as they unfold. Therefore, most stories are in the present tense. Some of the patients in these stories are no longer with us. They, and their families, gave us permission to share their experience with you. For those who have since passed, we share these in their memories with deep appreciation for what they have taught us about life and living.

We have the honor of caring for Hunter. He’s 19, lives in Madison County, and has spent most of his life loving UK Men’s Basketball.

K Fund gift basket

When we learned what a Wildcat fan he is, we wanted to do something special for him. A staff member reached out to The K Fund, the fundraising arm of UK Athletics, to ask about donating UK memorabilia. Another staff member found her way to Richmond’s own Wildcat, Dominique Hawkins, to ask if he might be willing to help us stage a surprise for Hunter.

Thankfully, both the K Fund and Dominique were ready to help.

Dominique with staff members Sarah Rollins and Nicki Stewart, who helped plan Hunter’s surprise.

Although we provide care for Hunter at his home, we worked with his family to tell Hunter we wanted to meet him at our Compassionate Care Center for a surprise.

When the family arrived, we took them into the large family room. Waiting for them was the gift basket donated by the K Fund. It included a piece of the last championship floor, signed by Coach Calipari.

Hunter was shy, but you could tell how pleased he was.

Then, we brought Dominique into the room. His mega-watt smile and genuine kindness lit up the entire facility. A very surprised Hunter was still a little shy, but clearly in awe.

Dominique spent time next to Hunter as the family talked with him about UK and basketball. Later, Dominique even spent time visiting with the staff working at the Compassionate Care Center.

Thank you to Dominique and to the K Fund for making Hunter’s day.

How can you honor life during National Hospice & Palliative Care Month? Visit the #WeHonorLife campaign page to learn about all the ways you can help, from volunteering and shopping to helping us increase access to specialized care for the seriously ill and their families. Questions? Contact us at hospice@hospicecp.org or 859-986-1500 or visit our website.

Leave a Comment





Our Mission:

Hospice Care Plus empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.

Our Service Area:

Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.

Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.

Recent News:

New Volunteer Training Saturday May 17

Hospice Care Plus is hosting an in-person training for new volunteers on Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM,...

Rockin’ Derby Eve Benefit Friday May 2

Reservations are now open for the Derby Eve Benefit Party: Rockin' Derby Eve! This adult only event is the longest...

Gift A Day Of Care in 2025

Every Day Is a Gift at Hospice Care Plus. We have spent 43 years fulfilling our mission of providing compassionate...

Journaling Through Grief Series Hosted in Irvine

Hospice Care Plus is offering a new grief support series called Journaling Through Grief, starting Aug. 7 and ending Oct....

News & Events

15828610755_988165f4b9_o

Join our volunteer team!

If you are kind, compassionate, and believe in serving your community, we’d love for you to join our volunteer team. Hospice Care Plus will host a training for new volunteers on Saturday, April 30, 9 am-4 pm, at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Pre-registration is requested so the staff can be sure to…

bourbon horizontal

New Gala Perk: Bourbon-Tasting Tent!

If dinner and dancing aren’t enough to wet your whistle, the Gala on Derby Eve has a new trick up its sleeve. For the first time ever, the 2016 Gala will feature a Bourbon-Tasting Tent. “Bourbon pairs well with the Gala, because it’s as steeped in Kentucky tradition as the Derby itself,” says Julie Hatfield,…

Gala on Derby Eve

Reservations Open for Gala on Derby Eve

Your “place to be on Derby Eve” is back for its 13th year:  The Gala on Derby Eve. The benefit gala brings together 200-plus guests in Richmond each year to celebrate Kentucky’s Derby tradition while raising funds for Hospice Care Plus. This year’s Gala on Derby Eve is Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Registration…

Visit our Bucket-List Blolg Today.

Bucket-List Campaign Starts Feb. 26

The 2016 Bucket-List Challenge Campaign kicks-off Friday, Feb. 26, with seven days of inspiring stories about hospice patients and families. The Bucket-List Campaign is a fundraising event, but also raises awareness about hospice care. For seven consecutive days, Feb. 26 to March 4, Hospice Care Plus will share one bucket-list story each day. The stories…