Karen Taylor-Good Shines a Light on National Hospice Month

Award winning singer-songwriter and speaker brings a message of compassion during the month of November and year-round

When Patty Loveless took Karen Taylor-Good's co-written song "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye?" all the way to the top of the country charts in 1993, the nation warmed to the song's healing and compassionate message. But for Taylor-Good, the story didn't end there. The Grammy-nominated song elevated her from a tunesmith to an intimate champion and supporter of The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), which gets the national spotlight each November during National Hospice Month.

Because of her association with Hospice, Karen has become one of the most sought after speakers and performers for the care-giver industry throughout the year, helping people accept and appreciate the human condition, providing comfort, insight, inspiration and compassion. Hospice advocates for the terminally ill and their loved ones, improving end-of-life care and profoundly enhancing the quality of life for people dying in America and their families. Hospice, like the theme of Karen’s song, essentially helps those dying in America, and their families, “say goodbye.”

“When ‘How Can I Help You Say Goodbye’ was written, it was a totally made up story," says the CMA and ACM-nominated Taylor-Good. "I came from a family where nobody ever talked about dying…….about loss……. about change. Because of that, dying has always been my greatest fear. I dreamed about having some angel person in my life…someone who would help me face those changes and teach me that they are a natural part of life.

"Imagine my shock when I discovered Hospice, and found real live angels who do just that! I have been honored to be a part of Hospice for the past 3 years, and when my precious Daddy died in July, Hospice played a very important part. I am proud to be what I have termed a “Hospice Groupie!”

In addition to being a singer/songwriter and motivational speaker, Karen is also an author. 2003 marked the publishing of On Angel’s Wings: Messages & Songs of Inspiration & Hope. With an accompanying CD of 14 songs, On Angel’s Wings combines lyrics with inspirational and humorous essays and anecdotes for adults approaching middle age, many in what’s termed “the sandwich generation,“ caring for both their children and their parents. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the book go to support the National Hospice Foundation campaign to raise awareness of hospice care. “

"I was so touched by (Karen's) music," said Elizabeth Dole, then the spokesperson for Hospice, when both she and Taylor-Good appeared at a fundraiser in 2001. "That just so beautiful and moving...thank you so much! I particularly related to ("On Angel's Wings") because my mother celebrated her 100th birthday on May 25th. I really related to those words. So much of what you were saying just touched my heart deeply."

In addition to performances and presentations for Hospice and caregiver organizations throughout the country, Karen has also been invited to speak for American Business Women of America (ABWA), Federally Employed Women (FEW), Spirit in Business, Team in Focus, US Bank, Baptist Hospital, and various other organizations, churches, and synagogues.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. With morethan 2,400 provider and nearly 3,200 individual members, NHPCO represents 75% of the hospices in the country, and its members serve approximately 90% of all hospice patients and their families. Founded in 1978, the organization is committed to improving end-of-life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing the quality of life for people dying in America and their families.

NHPCO advocates for the terminally ill and their loved ones. It also develops public and professional education programs and materials to enhance understanding and availability of hospice and palliative care, convenes frequent meetings and symposia on emerging issues, provides technical informational resources to its membership, conducts research, monitors Congressional and regulatory activities, and works closely with other organizations that share an interest in end-of-life care.

For more information about Karen Taylor-Good, please visit http://www.karentaylorgood.com. Requests for interviews with Karen, or review copies of On Angel's Wings can be made to Cathy Gurley at Gurley & Co., (615) 269-0474 or cathy@gurleybiz.com.

For more information on Hospice, please vsiit: http://www.nhpco.org or call the NHPCO's Helpline at 800.658.8898.

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