Citrus Valley Health Partners’ David Kessler Celebrated in 10th Anniversary Edition of “The Needs of the Dying”
David Kessler has dedicated his professional career to giving people the necessary emotional tools to face life-threatening illnesses. Kessler believes fear doesn’t stop death — fear stops life — and he has written and spoken extensively on ways to help people meet the needs of a loved one at this important time in their lives.
Because of its ongoing success and readership, HarperCollins Publishers has issued a special 10th anniversary edition of his first book, “The Needs of the Dying: A Guide for Bringing Hope, Comfort, and Love to Life’s Final Chapter.” This edition includes a new afterword, in which Kessler shares his thoughts on whether people have visions of deceased relatives shortly before they die and how the Terri Schiavo case highlighted the need for everybody to complete Advance Health Care Directives and share them with their loved ones.
“I’m thrilled that the book will continue to be useful because so many people find value in its message,” Kessler said. “That message, at its core, is one of tender loving care.”
Kessler is the Vice President of Patient Support Care Services for Citrus Valley Health Partners, which is comprised of three hospitals and a hospice in the East San Gabriel Valley. He runs the nonprofit organization’s nationally recognized Palliative Care program, which helps terminally ill patients through symptom and pain management. CVHP’s Palliative Care professionals function as their patients’ “eyes and ears,” guiding them through the often confusing and complicated modern-day medical system.
Since Kessler has been at CVHP, he has been able to secure a $568,000 grant from the UniHealth Foundation to provide palliative care services to even more of our hospitals’ patients.
“We’re always very proud when one of our own has published works that are acknowledged successfully,” said Elvia Foulke, Chief Operating Officer of Citrus Valley Health Partners. “This book can not only help our own community, but anyone around the world who reads it.”
“I consider it a privilege and a wonderful opportunity to put into real day-to-day care some of the ideas and concepts from ‘The Needs of the Dying,’ and to bring those practices and ideas to the community,” Kessler said.
Kessler considers his primary work to be at CVHP, but realizes in modern times you have to go wherever the need is. In addition to his work with the dying, he is a volunteer reserve officer on the Los Angeles Police Department’s trauma team and assists the American Red Cross on aviation disasters.
Kessler is available for interviews, or if you would like to request a review copy of the book or a tour of our hospice, please call CVHP’s Public Relations Department at 626/813-2857.
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PRAISE FOR “THE NEEDS OF THE DYING”
“This book is a source of reflection over that mysterious and beautiful moment which awaits us all.”
— Mother Theresa
“It is now, fortunately, my time to face death. David Kessler is my friend and student. He carries on my work, and his book will help.”
— Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, MD
“David Kessler was at my side as I watched my own father die. Thanks in large part to him, there was peace in the air. This book serves the needs of the person sitting by the bedside as much as it does the person who is lying in the bed.”
— Marianne Williamson
“This book has become a ‘must-read’ for every one of our staff and volunteers.”
— Carolyn Cassin,
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
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