In back, Francisco Rodriguez and his sister, Lorena Rodriguez Sabala, turned to hospice care when their parents were dying. In front, Jasmine Rodriguez Sabala, Shynanne Rodriguez, Treasure Rodriguez and Mark Anthony Rodriguez Sabala. They are standing in front of the Ferris wheel that Luis Rodriguez built when his grandchildren were toddlers.

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THE WISH: GROCERIES, TOYS, VISITS FROM A COUNSELOR

Hospice care is `heaven sent' when a loved one is dying

hospice care is something people don't want to think about until they need it, says Francisco Rodriguez, who lost both his parents to cancer in less than a year.

``You hate the part that your loved one is dying,'' Francisco says. ``But they teach you so much about how to take care of a loved one, how to feed them, how to bathe them. They give you spiritual and emotional counseling. We never would have made it without them. It was like something sent from heaven.''

It was 1995 when Luis Rodriguez, 62, the father of five children and grandfather of 11, was dying. He asked his wife of 38 years, Sophia, to take him to their San Jose home from the hospital. With the support of Mountain View-based Pathways Hospice Foundation, she was able to do so, and he died at home, surrounded by family. Just 11 months later, Sophia died at age 54.

The Rodriguez family has always been a tight-knit group. At the time of their illnesses, the grandparents had two of their grandchildren living with them. The hospice staff not only did everything possible for his parents, Francisco says, but they also offered support and counseling for the children.

The five grown children were so moved by what Pathways did for them that they wanted to give back. The family recently organized and held a fundraiser for Pathways at their parents' home. One sister baked 34 dozen tamales, neighbors pitched in and more than 175 people showed up to donate toys for children whose families are receiving hospice care. The event raised more than $2,500.

Francisco and his family hope that Pathways Hospice Foundation can continue to offer its extensive free services to any family in need. A donation of $50 (10A) provides groceries, $25 (10B) buys a special toy for a child, $75 (10C) buys bedding and other comfort items, $100 (10D) buys an afternoon of respite for an exhausted caregiver and $180 (10E) buys a counseling visit from a social worker.