By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson and his wife have made a major contribution to Hospice Buffalo.
Mary and Ralph Wilson have been strong supporters of Hospice, but this time they delivered a very generous gift. They donated $500,000 to the center, creating the Ralph Wilson Foundation Endowment Fund.
Mary Wilson says the funding will allow Hospice to make future capital improvements. She says they have long admired the mission of Hospice.
"We're thrilled. Ralph has had so much joy in Western New York and Buffalo," Mrs. Wilson said. "He is just so happy to give back to the community that has given him so much and give back this very important way."
The Wilsons first became involved with Hospice in Palm Beach, Florida. Hospice Buffalo president and CEO William Finn says they were elated to learn of the gift. Finn says in response to the donation Hospice is has renamed its a ten-bed inpatient unit in honor of the Wilsons.
"It's an acute care facility where people receive pain management and symptom control and hopefully have the ability to go back home," Finn said. "But often the patients come in here near end of life receive a very special environment where they can be cared for in their very last days and weeks of life."
Finn says the Wilson endowment will allow Hospice to continue to deliver services to those with life threatening and terminal illness. Mary Wilson says it is a honor to be part of something that touches so many lives.