LIFEline
An Update for LIFE Project Partners and Caring Communities
Helping Kansans with advanced chronic and terminal illnesses live with dignity, comfort and peace

September 8, 2004

Kansas LIFE Project Announces Plans for Annual Meeting
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for a day of learning, sharing and celebration!

The Kansas LIFE Project (Living Initiatives For End-of-Life Care) will host its Annual Meeting, “LIFE Matters:  Achieving Excellence in Care for Kansans Living with Advanced Chronic and Terminal Illnesses” on November 19, 2004, from 9:00 – 4:00 pm at the Wichita Marriott.  The LIFE Project is a collaborative effort of more than 100 organizations, associations and agencies that are working to help Kansans with advanced chronic and terminal illnesses live with dignity, comfort and peace. 

The day-long conference will include a keynote address by Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, who will discuss the challenges Kansas policymakers face as the number of citizens living with serious chronic and terminal illnesses grows.  Bremby will challenge participants to envision a healthy Kansas, where serious illnesses are more often prevented and where Kansans and providers work together for a healthier citizenry. 

Judi Lund Person, Vice President of the Division of Quality End-of-Life Care at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, will make the general session presentation on the impact of the recently released Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care.  Physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals will want to be on hand to hear the practical implications of this groundbreaking initiative, which is aimed at improving the delivery of palliative care in the United States. 

Donna Bales, President and CEO of the LIFE Project, will offer a plenary session where she will present the findings from the LIFE Project’s series of consumer-oriented Town Hall meetings, which were held all across Kansas during August and September.  These forums, hosted and organized by the LIFE Project Caring Communities, focused on learning the hopes, fears and expectations of Kansans as they face the end of life.  Robert Twillman, PhD, Pain Management Program Director at the University of Kansas Medical Center, will lead a panel discussion about current and planned initiatives occurring across the state under the leadership of various organizations and agencies that are designed to improve the care received by Kansans living with advanced chronic and terminal illnesses.

Following the symposium, the Kansas LIFE Project and its Project Partners will honor leaders from across the state in the first-ever “Champions for LIFE” Gala, to be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Mariott.  The festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a reception, dinner, awards presentation and a dance.  Opening remarks will be made before the awards ceremony by Grammy nominee, Karen Taylor-Good.  Tickets for the meeting and gala are $99, or $49 and $75, if purchased separately and can be purchased online at www.lifeproject.org, or by calling, toll-free at (888) 202-5433.

LIFE Project
1901 University - Wichita, Kansas 67213-3325
316.263.6380
316.263.6542 fax
HELPLINE (tollfree) 888-202-5433
888-202-LIFE
contact@lifeproject.org