Bringing Smiles and Blooms: Volunteer Delivers Joy to Hospice Patients
For Cathy Betzner-Sutton, volunteering with Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) is more than just a way to give back—it’s a calling. Having cared for her own parents and recently supported her aunt through cancer treatments, Cathy understands firsthand the importance of compassionate care and has always had a heart to help others.
Eight years ago, Cathy found her place at BCN by volunteering to deliver flowers and small gifts to hospice patients each month. To her, these visits with her “friends,” as she lovingly calls them, are not just deliveries but moments of joy, companionship and kindness.
“You never know if you might be the bright spot in someone’s day,” she said.
Her dedication to giving back runs deep in her family. Cathy's grandfather, Theodore Betzner, was part of a case study presented before the Senate, advocating for hospice care to be recognized and covered by Medicare. Though she didn’t realize it when she started volunteering, her work now continues his legacy of ensuring terminally ill patients receive the care and dignity they deserve.
Whether she’s delivering flowers, sewing memory pillows, or simply sitting and listening, Cathy finds immense fulfillment in her role.
“It makes my heart swell with warmth,” she said. “I feel like I get more out of it than my friends do.”
To learn more about volunteering at BCN, visit bgcarenav.org/volunteer.
