On September 8, Center for Hospice Care held its 36th Helping Hands Awards Dinner. After a year of social distancing brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, this awards dinner was two years in the making.
“It was such a pleasure to see so many of our supporters again in person, to talk to them, and to hear what they’ve been doing,” said Cyndy Searfoss, director of education and collaborative partnerships.
The night started off with a cocktail reception as guests were serenaded by the Knapp, Probst & Wolfe Trio.
“They did such a nice job setting the tone for the evening,” Searfoss said. “We had a wonderful committee that helped us pull all of this together, especially the sponsors who have helped us along the way – we couldn’t do this without them.”
This year’s Helping Hands Awards Dinner honored Drs. Zoreen and Rafat Ansari for their contributions to the communities served by Center for Hospice Care as well as their global contributions. The Ansaris’ extensive work in establishing autism advocacy and services in the community through the creation of the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at LOGAN Center in South Bend is just one example of their commitment.
“The Ansaris are so deserving of this award which honors those in our community who work so hard to improve the quality of living,” Searfoss said. “Both of the Ansaris have done so much for not just our community, but for the world.”
The Sonya Ansari Center for Autism, named after the Ansaris' daughter, provides numerous resources, services, and training for parents, educators, and professionals who live with the daily realities of autism. Zoreen and Rafat also gifted and established the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. The institute provides an area for intellectuals to focus on religious studies and research.
To further show the selflessness and impact of the Ansaris, Zoreen was essential in the establishment of two elementary schools in Sindh, Pakistan. Rafat has also published work in oncology care and has provided guidance to the medical community. The compassion and care each of the Ansaris give to the community through their work as physicians helps to exhibit why they are so deserving of the award.
“I started practicing oncology in 1980. That same year, Center for Hospice Care served their first patient. I have never known oncology without hospice, and I do not want to know oncology without hospice. Hospice is extremely valuable to our community,” Rafat Ansari said.
The awards dinner also served as a way for sponsors and supporters of Center for Hospice to gather as they continue their mission to serve their community.
“Our mission statement is to improve the quality of living. This goes beyond the patients and families we care for. For us, improving the quality of living is also being engaged in our community,” Searfoss said. “We’re so grateful to the very giving community; people who give us financial support, people who volunteer, people who provide compassion. We can’t say thank you enough."
For more information on Center for Hospice Care, visit its website at cfhcare.org.
