MU Med Students Help Fulfill End Of Life Wishes

Medical students at Marshall University are working to fulfill the end-of-life wishes of terminally ill patients.

Fourth-year medical student and president of the chapter, Pooja Warrier, co-founded the Marshall chapter of DreamCatchers earlier this month. 

The DreamCatchers Foundation, established in 2005, has been an instrumental force in fulfilling dreams ranging from simple wishes like reuniting with loved ones to more elaborate dreams like traveling to a cherished destination. The new Marshall chapter was officially chartered earlier this month and has already fulfilled its first dream.

A veteran in hospice care named Donnie Adkins requested a flagpole be installed in his front yard to represent those in his family who served his country.

DreamCatchers were able to partner with veteran volunteers from the American Legion Post 93 to install the flagpole, and Sen. Michael Woefel, D-Cabell, arranged for Adkins to receive a West Virginia flag that had been flown over the state capitol.

Warrier said it was an indescribable feeling to fulfill the dream of someone in hospice care.

“We all have a lot of dreams and oftentimes, when you have a sudden decline in health, you think of many simple things that you could do with your loved ones, and so to be a part of that, it’s an incredible opportunity,” Warrier said.

For more information or to request a dream, contact the local DreamCatchers chapter by email at dreamcatchers2022-23@groups.marshall.edu.