Refer a Patient
Ruth Wade 1
Gift of a Day Feature Story April 2025

Gift of a Day

We develop unique plans of care that include a Gift of a Day, our special program inspired by author Jim Stovall’s popular book “The Ultimate Gift.” Since its inception, we have helped thousands of hospice patients experience the perfect day. That day is based on the question: “If you had one perfect day, what would it look like?” Our staff members, volunteers and local businesses work together to bring these perfect days to life for our hospice patients.

Marching Band and Cheerleaders Delight Hometown Fan

A Football Game to Remember

Attending a high school football game is often much more than watching the actual game. It’s about hometown rivalries, the marching band, the cheerleaders, the drill team and the community spirit.

A mother of two sons, Ruth Wade yearned to experience a high school football game again. Her Crossroads care team rose to the challenge arranging for Ruth to attend the big game of the season between two local high schools, including the one her boys attended.

Seated right in front of the home team’s cheerleaders, tears rolled down Ruth’s face as the Marching Band started strutting on to the field. She couldn’t stop cheering.  “Once a Bull Dog, always a Bull Dog,” as the saying goes. In the stands, where she had sat decades ago, wearing her new Bull Dog hat and sweatshirt courtesy of her care team, Ruth enjoyed a big plate of barbecue.

Ruth’s VIP treatment continued after the game as she was escorted to the Locker Room to meet the players and tour the school’s football Hall of Fame. Unable to contain her pride for the school, Ruth hugged the players too. She promised she would always be their number one fan.