Providing Comfort, Care, and Relief: The CNS Charitable Care Program

The CNS Charitable Care Program provides charitable healthcare, hospice care, immunizations, and medical services to thousands of individuals in need throughout Utah each year. This program makes it possible for patients to access the care they need to regain their health or independence, or die with dignity and comfort.

Edgar Olvera’s Story

Edgar’s father, Octaviano, was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver caused by longtime medicine use. At first it was medicine for diabetes, and then it was medicine for the side-effects of diabetes. Eventually Octaviano’s memory became so bad that his physician suspended his driver’s license for his own safety, and he could no longer continue working as a driver for a delivery company. It was a nearly 5-year progression until he died.

Edgar recalls the night his parents came over for a family dinner and immediately sensed something was very off; Octaviano was acting very childlike and disoriented. They took Octaviano to the emergency room where the doctors conducted tests and took him home the next morning. Two days later, Octaviano lost his memory and the ability to walk. They returned to the hospital where the doctor told Edgar that his father was close to dying. “I was shocked,” Edgar shares. “I thought we had years left with him. He was only 56.”

After more tests and consultations, Octavio was taken to the University of Utah Hospital as a final effort to save his life. The medical team there told Edgar that the only option was to get his father a new liver. But the transplant waiting list was long and the cost was very high. Octaviano did not have insurance and a transplant was unfortunately not an option for him. The University of Utah physicians helped Octaviano get on a medicine schedule that helped him live for five more years. “It really surprised me,” Edgar says, “because he just felt so good after nearly dying.”

In March 2023, Octaviano started to feel poorly again. He was struggling to walk and was sleeping more. Edgar took him back to the University of Utah Hospital and his doctor said his liver was completely destroyed and that his time was close. Edgar called his mom and sisters and shared the news that the time for their father’s passing was near. Since Octaviano didn’t have health insurance, his doctors referred him to CNS where they knew he would be able to access end-of-life care through the CNS Charitable Care Program.

“CNS met us at our home to talk with our family. I had never experienced death before, and we didn’t know anything. The CNS nurses helped us understand what to expect and how to care for my father. They helped us plan his funeral and make his arrangements. I feel like I didn’t have to do anything because they helped us through everything. They came four days a week and brought all the supplies we needed to keep my father comfortable—a hospital bed, oxygen, medications, pampers, wipes, etc.—all the things you need, but you don’t know you need.

“We didn’t have to pay anything: for his time at the University or at CNS.”

When Edgar first spoke with CNS, he was very worried about money. He shares, “We don’t have very much. We have a small family, and only me and my sisters work.” CNS assured him that all the bills would be covered by the CNS Charitable Care Program. “They brought everything we needed and we didn’t have to pay anything,” Edgar continues. “We were so shocked that we didn’t have to worry, and that this care was free. It was such a blessing. I have so much pride and it was a hard moment to accept charity, but we really needed it. They said, ‘Just ask and we will bring anything you need.’

“Our nurse, Christy, is such a nice person. My father loved her because she helped so much. She paid so much attention to even the smallest detail. My father looked forward to her visits more than anything. Christy was a great support to our family, and we could call anytime we needed help. She would come and ask how we are doing, ask what she can do to help, and she always spoke to my father like a person.

“Three days before he died, he wanted a special lunch: Mole de Olla. We arranged the details and moved his bed close to the window so he could enjoy his meal while looking outside. He enjoyed watching people walk around. He said, ‘I am feeling so great.’ Then he turned to us and said, ‘I don’t want to die; I’m afraid. I want more time. I want to stay at least 3–4 more years.’ We thought that maybe it could happen again? He lived five more years after his last scare. He seemed good that day, so we were optimistic.

“The day before he died, he couldn’t speak anymore, and his pain was terrible. As the hours progressed, his breathing became labored, and we called CNS to help. His nurse arrived and told us that his time had come. We stayed with him all night, and he passed away the next day, July 5, 2023, at 2 PM. Christy was there within 30 minutes of his passing and helped us take care of everything. I am so grateful for her help.”

Edgar remembers his father as a happy person. “He was always joking and laughing. Even when we were the most worried about bills and expenses, we said to ourselves, ‘Don’t worry because we still have our father.’ We miss him every day, his jokes and his amazing cooking. Anytime I had a problem, he was there to help. He was a good father.”

If you would like to help others access the same compassionate care that Edgar, his father Octaviano, and their family received during Octaviano’s time on hospice, consider making a gift to the CNS Charitable Care Program at CNS-Cares.org/Donate.