This editorial appears in the May 28, 2010, Yakima Herald-Republic

Creating a lasting impact during a person's life is no easy feat. Sometimes it comes in the form of a compassionate heart.

Such is the case with the generous donation from Joann and Art Hall. Their gift of $1 million to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital puts the construction of a state-of-the-art hospice facility in Yakima closer to reaching its lofty goal of $6.5 million. The fascinating part of this gift is that the Halls no longer live in the Yakima Valley. Instead they make their home in Nevada.

But they grew up here, and that's what mattered most. It's also important to note that Dr. Guy Shinn, Joann Hall's father and a prominent physician, also called the Yakima Valley his home. So it is fitting that Joann and her husband continue the healing process that her father once provided by expanding hospice care to those who are terminally ill.

The Halls have agreed to match every dollar Memorial Hospital raises up to the $1 million mark. So far, the hospital has received $200,000 in donations.

The hospice facility will be a 22,000-square-foot freestanding structure just south of the intersection of Nob Hill Boulevard and 48th Avenue near Randall Park. Construction of Cottage in the Meadow should begin in another 10 months and will begin with 12 beds. Another eight beds will be added in the second phase.

The closest freestanding hospice center is in Kennewick. Though Memorial Hospital will connect its services with its hospice facility, other hospitals in Central Washington will be able to refer patients.

Hospice comes from the Latin word "hospitium" and means guesthouse. That's precisely what Cottage in the Meadow aspires to be. It will consist of large private bedrooms with south-facing windows to capture the sunlight and terraces that open up to a tree-lined meadow.

Patients eligible for hospice care are generally those with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less. Though most hospice is provided in a patient's home, Cottage in the Meadow will offer help to families with young children at home, to those with no nearby family or caregivers and to spouses of family members who need respite from caregiving.

It's heartwarming to see such thoughtful initiatives as Memorial Hospital's Cottage in the Meadow and such generosity as that shown by the Halls. Providing compassionate care to those who are terminally ill not only makes our society better in the process, it's simply the right thing to do.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.