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Community Healthcare of Texas and Project 4031 Partner to Make Dream Vacation a Reality for Hospice Patient
For Barbara Miller, a hospice patient with Community Healthcare of Texas, one last wish stood above the rest: to take a cruise with her sisters. Thanks to the compassionate partnership between her family, Community Healthcare of Texas (CHOT), and local nonprofit Project 4031, Barbara’s dream became a reality this summer.
Barbara entered hospice care with CHOT in early June 2025, where social worker Taryn Piatkowski began working closely with her and her family. During those first visits, Barbara shared her dream of taking a cruise with her sisters. The sisters quickly began planning the trip, coordinating with a travel agent and each paying her own way. To help ensure Barbara could join them, Taryn reached out to Project 4031, a North Texas nonprofit that provides no-cost services and financial support for terminally ill patients, and also secured assistance from CHOT’s Quality of Life Fund. Together, the two nonprofits covered the remaining expenses, making Barbara’s dream possible.
“The joy and gratitude Barbara and her sisters shared was truly priceless,” Piatkowski said. “Having something special to look forward to gave Barbara a renewed sense of purpose and created memories her family will always treasure.”
For Project 4031, Barbara’s request was unique, but perfectly aligned with their mission to bring comfort and connection to patients and their families. “Hospice patients still have a chapter to be lived, and Barbara’s story leans into that,” said Nicole Herlin, Program Director at Project 4031. “The support we provide is larger than utility payments or fulfilling end-of-life dreams. We’re letting patients and the people who love them know they’re not alone.”
Together, CHOT and Project 4031 helped ensure Barbara boarded the cruise with three of her sisters, creating meaningful time together and memories that her family says are priceless.
Barbara passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Her journey serves as a reminder that hospice care is not about the end of life, but about finding comfort, joy, and connection in every remaining moment. Through the care and compassion of Community Healthcare of Texas and its partners, Barbara’s story continues to shine as an example of how love and support can bring peace and fulfillment even in life’s final chapter.
About Community Healthcare of Texas
Community Healthcare of Texas is the largest not-for-profit hospice and palliative care provider in Texas and has cared for adult and pediatric patients throughout North Central Texas since 1996. Community Healthcare of Texas offers hospice care, palliative care, education, emotional and spiritual support, and grief care to families as they travel the path of serious and terminal illnesses. Community Healthcare of Texas serves patients and their families across 22 Fort Worth, Dallas, and Waco counties. For additional information, visit www.CHOT.org or call (800) 958-4942.
About Project 4031
Project 4031 is an unduplicated nonprofit providing no-cost services to terminally ill children and adults with a life expectancy of six months living in the North Texas Community. We faithfully partner with hospice and medical professionals and individuals to strengthen end-of-life stories through our Funding for Families, Fulfilling Dreams and Three Strands Community Resources programs along with our Wings volunteer program. Our mission is to provide terminally ill children, adults and their families facing end-of-life challenges with peace and comfort by easing financial burdens and fulfilling their last dreams.
