BLISSFULSAGE FOUNDATION INC

Our foundation goals are threefold. To build and operate the first residential hospice program in Belize, Central America for the benefit of the Belize facing end of life decisions. Secondly, our annual Battle Cancer Edlin Leslie Sr. 5 Mile Run/Walk brings our communities together. During this time we are able to listen to the lessons from survivors and other advocates and access free cancer screenings immediately following the walk. Third, our Battle Cancer early detection program helps to support individuals and families by bringing the cancer services to them and providing an annual program. We provide information to our community from both the American Cancer Society and the American Dermatology Association. Ultimately we aim broaden our reach by increasing the number of participants in our events exponentially each year. Through the hospice program we aim to provide a home where individuals facing end of life decisions can live the rest of lives with dignity while receiving quality compassionate care in a nurtuing and loving environment.

Consistency with our BattleCancer Walk and early detection program has been the key strategy for ensuring the success and continuity and growth of our programs. Establishing collaborative partnerships, gaining support and buy in from the community has been instrumental in this process.

The Hospice buidling project is a monumental talk. Our collaborative efforts with key stakeholders has been important. Ongoing fundraising for the past 18 months, commitment to ensuring that we continue to work through the challenging economic circumstances and coordinating the efforts of all who are willing to provide pro bono services to assist in making this project a reality are key strategies to building this 12 bed residential hospice facility.

As the founder of Blissfulsage Foundation, I have spent many years establishing key stakeholders both in Belize and internationally. We are confident that we are capable of accomplishing this goal and serving the people of Belize.

To date we have established a Blissfulsage Foundation, Belize NGO. Through the Belize branch we have raised $40,000 in cash and Blissfulsage Foundtaion USA has received more than $70,000 pro bono services and $50,000 in in-kind donations of equipments, cabinets etc (stored in North Carolina) supporting the hospice building project. To date we have accomplished the following:
1. Registered the Edlin Leslie Sr. Hospice for LEED certification with USGB.
2. We have assembled our architectural team with Architects and electrical engineers working at NASA, LEED Specifier working for USGB, Structural engineer donating services independently. Thurton and Associates, Belize has completed all the on site testing. The plans have all been completed by Mr. James Esquivel Architect of record and are available upon request.
3. My husband Michael and I donated 1 acre river front property on which the hospice will be built. Mr. Salamon Marin of Dangriga, Belize donated his services and conducted a free survey and identified the property marks for the property survey.
4. City of Hope has conducted our End of life Nursing Education Constortium training program in Belize, 2011.
5. The Ministry of Health has pledged a full time nurse to help to staff our hospice facility
6. Food for the Poor in Florida has pledge the donation of the 12 hospital beds for our hospice Facility
7. We have established collaborate partnerships with the Belize Ministry of Health, The Anglican Diocese of Belize, Belize Cancer Center, Belize Cancer Society, Dr. Jorge Lopez Granja Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University, The Massey Cancer Center, City of Hope, Trinity Kids Hospice and others to ensure a wraparound support system for this hospice.
8. We have received a waiting list of individuals willing to volunteer and propsective employees waiting for this facility to be built.
9. We have established great relationships with supporters who wish us well

WE HAVE NOT:

1. We have not started construction on this hospice building
2. We have not raised sufficient money in order to accomplish this monumental goal
3. We have not yet established an endowment fund