Salisbury, Md. (Wednesday, September 2, 2015) — Richmond County Hospice Inc. has received a $5,500 granted funded by the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to purchase equipment to improve the process of administering blood tests, intravenous fluid and medications to terminally ill patients. The Foundation is the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms.

“At Richmond County Hospice, we’re committed to providing peace, comfort and dignity to patients with life-limiting illnesses,” said Jessica H. Mims, Family Services Manager/Social Worker. “This generous support from Perdue and the Foundation will help ensure we can provide the best quality of care for our patients.”

The funding will enable Hospice to purchase an Accuvein machine, which illuminates a patient’s veins and makes it easer for clinical staff to administer intravenous fluids and medications. “For terminally ill patients, malnutrition and dehydration is common and creates an increased barrier in identifying useable veins,” said Mims. “This device will reduce increased discomfort and agitation for our patients.”

The second device Hospice will purchase will eliminate the need for a needle stick to draw blood. The procedure reduces discomfort and is more efficient in providing test results, Mims explains.

“Hospice is a valuable asset to any community that is fortunate enough to have one.  The peace these talented and caring individuals are able to grant to patients and their families is simply priceless,” said Kendall Casey, director of Perdue operations in Rockingham. “We are honored to be able to support their efforts by helping them acquire much-needed equipment that will make administering medication and drawing blood easier on those who need it.”

About Richmond County Hospice Inc.
Richmond County Hospice Inc. has been providing compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill patients for 30 years. We are the “Hometown Hospice” and provide a team approach to care. Patients are served in the five-county region of Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond and Scotland. We provide such services as skilled nursing, social work, chaplain, volunteer and bereavement services to patients in their homes or in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Staffed with a full time Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Steven Strobel, physician home visits are offered as well. Our six-bed general inpatient (GIP) Haven is also open to patients who require acute symptom management. To learn more, visit www.mpweb.org/hospice.

About Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for everyone we touch through innovative food and agricultural products. Since our beginning on Arthur Perdue’s farm in 1920, to our expansion into agribusiness and the introduction of the PERDUE® brand of chicken and turkey under Frank Perdue, and continuing with our third generation of leadership with Chairman Jim Perdue, we’ve remained family owned and family operated. We are the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness. Through our PERDUE® SIMPLY SMART®, PERDUE® HARVESTLAND®, COLEMAN PREMIUM® and COLEMAN ORGANIC® food brands; agricultural products and services; and stewardship and corporate responsibility programs, we are working to become the most-trusted name in food and agricultural products. Learn more about Perdue Farms and our Corporate Responsibility Report at www.perduefarms.com.

About The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture.™