Health & Fitness
SSM Health Hospice Caregivers Arrange Car Parade For Terminally Ill Patient
Cullen Clark, 60, of Warrenton, who has a passion for cars, was moved to tears by the gesture.
March 25, 2021
It was a beautiful Saturday and a special moment for 60-year-old Cullen Clark of Warrenton.
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Cullen has a passion for model cars and car shows -- pastimes he’s been unable to enjoy due to his difficult battle with terminal colon cancer. That gave Cullen’s SSM Health at Home Hospice caregivers an idea to bring the car show to him as part of their Memories That Last program. The program provides special memories for patients and their loved ones. Funds are used to make a patient's last wish come true. The SSM Health at Home - Hospice team coordinates with the patient to help fulfill a goal that may include something as simple as a fishing trip, a family outing to the zoo or a special family reunion.
“As a social worker, it’s just really nice to hear people’s life stories and listen to what’s important in their lives. For Cullen, that was cars,” Gina Bax, a social worker at SSM Health at Home Hospice, said. “It was nice to connect with him on something he has a passion for.”
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Bax said Cullen’s niece, Vanita, mentioned she wanted to do something special for him and was sad he couldn’t get into a race car since he uses a wheelchair. That sparked an idea.
To make it happen, Cullen’s care team partnered with Misfit Toys Car Club, a nonprofit organization that hosts automotive events to raise awareness for autism.
And so, they came to Warrenton, with about 100 cars parading down Cullen’s street in an extraordinary show of support. Cullen was overwhelmed with emotion as he watched alongside his close family and friends.
“He couldn’t believe that many people cared enough to show up for him. The parade brought him to tears – happy tears. It really touched him, and all of us,” Bax said.
Thank you to everyone who came out to be part of Cullen’s special moment. We are especially grateful to our SSM Health hospice and social workers for being present with patients during their final days of life and providing the comfort and dignity they so rightly deserve. You are truly our Health Care Heroes!
This press release was produced by the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed are the author's own.