When asked to offer my experiences with and opinions about the efforts of United Way of Middle Tennessee, particularly my family's rewards from the passionate efforts of Alive Hospice, I felt several emotions: happiness, comfort, sadness, emptiness. The Alive Hospice staff made an absolute commitment to providing pleasure, relief and, most of all, reassurance for the well being and quality of life for my son Joseph Jermain Uti.

For two years, the tireless efforts of the Alive Hospice staff made every day of J.J.'s life a pleasure. The staff was on call seven days a week, 24 hours a day. I know this to be fact. I had to call the Alive Hospice staff for assistance many times during the 730 days that Alive Hospice cared for J.J. No matter what the time of day or night, no matter what day of the week, a staff member was always available to provide assistance by phone or available to drop by my home to provide assistance.

The Alive Hospice staff had an energy that enabled me, as a caregiver and a mother, to persist when many in the medical profession were telling me that Joseph "may not make it." And, believe me, I heard those words several times. However, I was determined each time I heard those words that Joseph would make it. Through the relentless help of ardent staff members of Alive Hospice, I dug from within and prayed for the strength to allow Joseph's life to be meaningful, joyous, happy.

Alive Hospice staff members are angels on Earth. They can pull smiles from faces that without their help would truly otherwise be full of despair and gloom. I thank United Way of Middle Tennessee for its unflinching support of Alive Hospice, and I thank Alive Hospice for aiding J.J. in having a wonderful, joyous life.

Sandra Uti

Administrative Assistant, Personnel Manager

Dining Services