Andy Land, 52, director of the Hospice and Palliative Care Services, at Agnesian Health Care, Fond du Lac, is on a mission to raise awareness and money for hospice education in Wisconsin and to get people’s attention—he is leaving March 25 to climb Mt. Everest, the world’s tallest mountain. Monday morning Land will speak to Evans Elementary School students in Fond du Lac at an assembly. A relative paid the cost of the $40,000 epic journey so every dollar raised in the “Climbing for Hospice” campaign will go toward educating the public about hospice and training hospice staff and volunteers in the ever-changing and highly regulated hospice services and programs. Land, an avid climber, said taking on Mt. Everest evokes the courage, dignity and determination that describe hospice patients he has worked with throughout his career. Land is hoping people who already understand the benefits of hospice or have been touched by hospice care will support his cause, as well as those who admire his courage to try to reach the summit in mid-May. Only four Wisconsin residents have made it to the top. “I will do my very best but if I don’t get all the way to the summit, I feel it is not wasted effort. I’ve still accomplished the goal to spread the word about hospice,” he said. Land has served as president of the board of directors of HOPE (Hospice Organization and Palliative Experts) of Wisconsin, which is the non-profit association launching the fundraising campaign. He continues to serves as a board member.More than 75 hospices around Wisconsin belong to the statewide organization. www.hopeofwisconsin.org For more information on Land’s climb and how to support Team Andy: www.climbingforhospice.org or call Hope of Wisconsin at (800) 210-0220.
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