Buchanan resident Zachary Combs’ eighth birthday was the experience of a lifetime, thanks to help from Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care.

In July 2007, Zachary was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which eventually spread throughout his body. Fearing that Zachary’s eighth birthday on Feb. 14 might be his last, Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care nurse Rischell Sample worked with Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator Candy Briney to plan a special celebration.

Sample and Briney were overwhelmed by the response they received from community members who wanted to help with the party. General Baptist Church in Niles provided the location, and Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph donated its bounce house for the event. Drinks were provided by McDonald’s in Buchanan to go along with the Curious George-themed cakes baked by Rob Elliott and Davone Simon for the occasion.

Zachary was thrilled to receive a new bicycle for his birthday, donated by Cycle and Fitness in St. Joseph. In addition, Surfari Joe’s Indoor Wilderness Water Park in Watervliet provided water park passes to Zachary’s parents, Chris and Aimee, for the family to use any time. Later in the day, a limousine and chauffeur, donated anonymously by a local business, drove Zachary and his family to the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, where they received a personalized, behind-the-scenes tour.

For Sample and Briney, looking back on the day’s festivities is bittersweet, as Zachary passed away nine days after the party. However, they are comforted knowing that the Combs family will always cherish the memories of Zachary’s final birthday.

“I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of kindness from our community to help give Zach such a joyful and memorable birthday,” said Sample. “Seeing Zach and his family smile and enjoy a wonderful day together, I was overcome with gratitude.”

As part of their comprehensive services for patients and their families, Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care staff members work to provide memorable experiences like Zachary’s for patients on a regular basis through its “Butterfly Wishes” program.

Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care serves patients throughout southwest Michigan, at Lakeland facilities and in the home setting. If you would like to help make a Hospice wish come true or would like more information about Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care, call (269) 985-4433 or visit www.lakelandhealth.org.