It is often observed that one person's good experience serves to benefit others. In the case of two local brothers, their connection with McLeod Hospice has translated into a gift being shared with all the patients and families served at the McLeod Hospice House.    

In March of 2007, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas McCutchen and Mr. and Mrs. Gene McCutchen made a generous gift in support of the McLeod Hospice House in memory of their mother, Mrs. Velma Scott McCutchen.  Mrs. McCutchen was a patient at the Hospice House, who passed away in January, 2007. 

“She was at the McLeod Hospice House for only six days, but we are so thankful that she was able to spend her last days there.  Because of that, she died in peace, surrounded by love and blessed with the loving care of the entire staff at the McLeod Hospice House,” said Gene McCutchen.

Tom McCutchen shared in a note to Dr. Fox, “My brother, Gene, and I are most appreciative of your care and concern as well as that of all of your staff during Mother’s last days.  All of us felt very supported and comforted by your collective ministry and we greatly appreciated that.  It just seemed 'right' to us that her last days were at the McLeod Hospice House."

The McCutchen's financial gift was sent to Dr. Mark Fox, Medical Director of McLeod Hospice and Palliative Care, to be used in support of the McLeod Hospice House.  Dr. Fox and Joan Pavy, Administrator of McLeod Hospice, chose to use the gift to develop a Music Therapy program, a project Dr. Fox had long wanted to offer for McLeod Hospice patients. Music therapy works with patients of all ages, especially those dealing with terminal illness.

According to a recent article in the Journal American Nurse Today, music can target pain, anxiety, muscle tension, sleep, nausea, or patient satisfaction. Music can also distract a patient or create a healing environment for patients and their families.

Blessed with the McCutchen's gift, the McLeod Hospice staff began their search for a music therapist. Fortunately, they did not have to look any further than their own backyard of Florence to find one. Board certified by the American Association of Music Therapists, Ferebe Gasque was selected as the McLeod Hospice Music Therapist. Gasque has 16 years of experience in the field of music therapy. Locally, she serves as the Service Coordinator for the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board on a full-time basis. As such, Gasque is available to patients and families from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Specially trained music therapists like Gasque use music therapy as an intervention. This form of therapy goes beyond creating healing sounds. Music therapists incorporate music and the process of making music as tools in rehabilitation, healing and wellness. Music therapists trained in a primary instrument, such as Gasque, often use a guitar or piano for accompaniment to provide music therapy to patients.

Gasque explains, "Music therapy provides Hospice patients and their families with comfort, pain management and ultimately help with the grief process. I sometimes spend up to an hour with one patient. I feel as though I'm singing them to heaven."

The program has been very well received by families as well as the Hospice staff, according to Gasque. "I know God put me here for a reason. The Hospice House is such a loving, caring environment. It's where I need to be."

Gasque considers her ministry a calling and said music therapy is as therapeutic for her as it is for the patients. In the short time she has been working with the patients at McLeod Hospice, she has touched many families and was even asked to sing at one patient's funeral.

Ann Boyd, the daughter of a recent McLeod Hospice patient, said, "During a very trying and difficult time, I felt that the Hospice Music Therapist helped us relax to a certain extent, as we shared memories of Mother with her. We enjoyed not only the songs she sang for us, but we also enjoyed joining in with her. My Dad loves to play music and sing and he shared that with Ferebe. The time she spent with us, seemed to help him refocus for a while.

"Our family is so grateful to everyone at the McLeod Hospice House for the love and comfort given to Mom and our whole family. Though we hope not to have further need for the Hospice House, we are so very thankful that Florence had this wonderful facility when we needed it. I have shared with many friends and family how wonderful the Hospice House staff was to Mother and how accommodating they were to our family. I have also shared with them how great the Music Therapy Program is, sharing music with the patients and their families. We considered the time Ferebe spent with us a true blessing," added Boyd.

To learn more about McLeod Hospice click here.