For years, Pam Harter supported patients and families as a hospice volunteer with Providence in Napa Valley, offering presence and compassion during life’s most meaningful moments. Today, she is a hospice patient with Providence at Home with Compassus—and her story is helping reshape how we think about end-of-life care.
At 69, Pam is living with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare genetic condition. But rather than focusing on limitations, she has chosen to live with intention. Hospice became her turning point—not an end, but a beginning.
“Hospice is giving me the comfort to keep living, instead of just sitting around thinking about dying,” Pam shared.
With the support of her care team, Pam stepped away from invasive treatments and toward what matters most: quality of life. Since choosing hospice, she has traveled with her husband to Italy, Croatia, Ecuador and the Galápagos—experiences rooted in connection, purpose and joy.
Now, she’s pursuing her most ambitious dream yet: becoming one of the first hospice patients to travel to space.
At a time when space exploration continues to capture global attention, Pam’s journey offers a powerful and deeply human perspective. Her dream isn’t just about reaching space—it’s about expanding what people believe is possible, even in the face of serious illness.
Pam’s story is also shaped by her years as a hospice volunteer. Having walked alongside patients and families, she understands firsthand the impact of compassionate care—and now, she’s living it.
Her message is simple, yet profound: hospice is not about giving up. It’s about living well.
“I’ve been to Italy. I went to Croatia, I went to Ecuador, I went to the Galápagos—and I’m going to go to space—all thanks to hospice.”
Through her courage and perspective, Pam is helping change the conversation—showing that with the right support, hospice can create space for meaning, connection and even extraordinary possibility.
More on Pam Harter:
Living Fully on Hospice Care: A Napa Patient’s Dream to Travel to Space
